University of St. Thomas Athletics
6-3,0-0Summit League
Northern Colorado
6-2,0-0Big Sky
Time runs out in Tommies loss to Bears
12/4/2024 10:07:00 PM | Women's Basketball
ST. PAUL, MINN. – A lot has gone right for the University of St. Thomas women's basketball team through the first month of the 2024-25 season. The Tommies entered Wednesday's contest against Northern Colorado with their best record in the DI era at 6-2 and boasting a 4-0 record at home. Unfortunately, the Bears dealt St. Thomas its first loss in Schoenecker Arena this season. Despite another late comeback push, the Tommies ran out of time in the first game of the Big Sky-Summit Challenge, falling to Northern Colorado by a final score of 62-54. With the loss, St. Thomas' overall record now stands at 6-3.
RECAP:
It was very entertaining first quarter between the Tommies and Bears, as they matched each other shot for shot, basket for basket and point for point in the first 10 minutes of play. St. Thomas used a strong inside presence to penetrate the Northern Colorado defense, scoring 16 first quarter points on 7-13 shooting, though the Tommies did not make a single three through the first 10 minutes of play. Their defense held the Bears scoreless from beyond the arc, as Northern Colorado also scored 16 points, none from three-point land, to earn a 16-16 draw with St. Thomas after the first quarter.
However, things derailed for the Tommies in the second. Despite earning wide open looks against the Bears full court press, St. Thomas scored just two points in the quarter. Leading scorer Jo Langbehn (Elk River, Minn. / Elk River) spent most of the second on the bench, while Jade Hill (Minneapolis, Minn. / South) and Amber Scalia (Stillwater, Minn. / Stillwater) were kept at bay by Northern Colorado's defense, stifling the Tommies back court and holding them to just two points. While St. Thomas' defense allowed just 11 second quarter points, but the lack of scoring allowed the Bears to hold a 27-18 halftime lead.
Langbehn took control in the third quarter. After spending the majority of the first half on the bench, Langbehn scored nine of the Tommies 20 third quarter points and was joined in the scoring efforts by Sammy Opichka (Green Bay, Wis. / Notre Dame), Jordyn Lamker (Maple Grove, Minn. / Maple Grove) and Scalia. Their efforts allowed St. Thomas to pull within four of Northern Colorado, but the Bears always managed to stay just out of reach. Thanks to a 4-4 effort from beyond the arc, Northern Colorado maintained its lead and opened the fourth quarter with a 43-38 advantage.
Like past games, the Tommies put together another fourth quarter rally, as baskets from Lamker and Scalia helped St. Thomas pull within three at 45-42 by the eight minute mark. St. Thomas was never able to close that last bit of the gap. The Bears, also, wouldn't stop scoring, as they continued to push the pace and the lead late in the quarter. Down by eight and forced to foul, baskets by Langbehn and Scalia pulled the Tommies within five, but another comeback was just out of reach, as St. Thomas fell by a final score of 62-54.
TOP TOMMIES
- Jo Langbehn (Elk River, Minn. / Elk River) and Amber Scalia (Stillwater, Minn. / Stillwater) each scored 19 points Wednesday evening to lead St. Thomas in scoring. Langbehn scored 19 points on 7-10 shooting and went 5-7 from the charity strip with five rebounds, three assists and three steals. Scalia scored 19 on 8-18 shooting with five rebounds and a steal.
- Sammy Opichka (Green Bay, Wis. / Notre Dame Academy) led the team with two rebounds and was also credited with one block and three steals in Wednesday's loss.
UP NEXT
After three games at home, the Tommies will look to rebound on the road, as they travel to the University of Idaho on Saturday. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. CT in Moscow, Idaho.
