University of St. Thomas Athletics
Saturday, February 17
St. Paul, Minn.
7:00 p.m. Central
17-10,7-5Summit League
83
vs
80
South Dakota
10-17,3-9Summit League
1
2
F
South Dakota
48
32
80
St. Thomas (MN)
38
45
83
Team Stats
SD
UST
FG%
.569
.508
3FG%
.611
.409
FT%
.688
.778
RB
27
30
TO
11
4
STL
1
10
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
20
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
7
Pts
18
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
7
Pts
17
FGM
7
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
12
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's Basketball
Photo by: Collin Boyles
Tommies erase 14-point deficit in 83-80 win over Coyotes
2/17/2024 10:31:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Men’s basketball starters combine for 90% of scoring to even season series
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- A strong second half comeback propelled St. Thomas men's basketball to an 83-80 victory over South Dakota on Saturday night. The Tommies move to 17-10 on the season and 7-5 in conference play while beating the Coyotes, the final team in the Summit League St. Thomas had yet to beat since joining the conference.
Graduate student Raheem Anthony led the scoring efforts for the Purple, recording 20 points on 6-of-12 shooting, including 7-of-9 from the charity stripe. Anthony also tallied two rebounds, two steals, and a team-high eight assists in an all-around performance. Eight assists ties Anthony's season-high set Dec. 10, 2023, against Chicago State.
Senior Drake Dobbs and graduate student Parker Bjorklund scored 18 and 17 points respectively, with Bjorklund recording his second double-double of the season, grabbing 11 rebounds along with one assist and three steals. The St. Thomas starting five recorded 75 of the teams 83 points on 52 percent shooting (27-of-52) from the field, 41 percent from beyond the arc (7-of-17), along with 20 rebounds, 15 assists, 10 steals, and two blocks in the victory.
St. Thomas shot 50.8 percent from the field (30-59) and 40.9 percent from beyond the arc (9-22) while South Dakota finished the game shooting 56.9 percent overall (29-51) and 61.1 percent from 3-point range (11-18), as all 11 makes came in the first half. The Tommies outscored the Coyotes on fast break points (11-3), off turnovers (15-1), in the paint (42-30), and off second-chance points (11-6).
RECAP
Right from the tip-off St. Thomas and South Dakota traded baskets and five minutes into the ball game both teams were knotted at 13 points apiece. After a 3-point shooting clinic from the Coyotes, the Purple found themselves down 11 points, 33-22, at the under eight mark in the first half. A 5-0 run by Bjorklund cut the lead to nine points, 36-27, with 5:03 left in the half.
The red-hot 3-point shooting continued for the Coyotes as St. Thomas found themselves in a 10-point hole, 48-38, heading into the halftime break.
The St. Thomas men's basketball team battled back to start the second half as back-to-back jumpers from Anthony connected, a 3-pointer from Bjorklund, and Anthony and Bjorklund jumpers tied the game at 52 with 15:47 remaining. Over the next seven minutes both teams traded baskets and remained knotted up at 64 apiece with 8:18 left.
A 3-pointer by redshirt freshman Carter Bjerke at the 4:21 mark opened up the Tommie lead to five points, 73-68. Four straight made free throws by Anthony sealed the comeback win.
TOP TOMMIES
· Graduate student Raheem Anthony led the scoring efforts for the Purple, recording 20 points on 6-of-12 shooting, including 7-of-9 from the charity stripe. Anthony also tallied on two rebounds, two steals, and a team-high eight assists in an all-around performance.
· Senior Drake Dobbs and graduate student Parker Bjorklund scored 18 and 17 points respectively, with Bjorklund recording his second double-double of the season, grabbing 11 rebounds along with one assist and three steals. Bjorklund has led the Tommies in rebounds a team-best 10 times this season.
· Graduate student Brooks Allen scored 10 points in the first half and finished with 12 for the night on 5-of-10 shooting along with four rebounds and two steals.
· The St. Thomas starting five recorded 75 of the teams 83 points on 52 percent shooting (27-of-52) from the field, 41 percent from beyond the arc (7-of-17), along with 20 rebounds, 15 assists, 10 steals, and two blocks in the victory.
QUOTABLES
Head Coach Johnny Tauer on factors that led to Saturday night's victory over South Dakota:
"I think that our guys were able to weather the deficit and 3-point storm early on and understand there is a lot of game left. I thought our defense, active hands, and our veteran leadership provided a lot of trust and belief within the crew. I was really, really proud of how our veterans led us through this game.
"We had really good energy tonight. The crowd's energy was a big part in the victory, and they were instrumental in success tonight. The Summit League is such a competitive league and I have so much respect for everyone in the league, and we are thrilled to get a win against a tough squad."
UP NEXT
The Tommies continue Summit League play on the road as they travel to Fargo, N.D., to take on North Dakota State (13-14, 6-6 Summit League) on Thursday, Feb. 22, with tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m. CT. St. Thomas is currently behind 2-3 in the all-time series against the Bison with the Toms winning the last matchup on Jan. 25, 2024, 79-66.
FOLLOW ALONG
For more information on St. Thomas Men's Basketball, follow along on X (formerly Twitter) at @TommieMBBall and on Instagram at @TommieHoops
JOIN US
To reserve your seat to be a part of the Tommies' 2023-24 season, click HERE to view ticketing information and purchase options.
-- St. Thomas Athletics --
Graduate student Raheem Anthony led the scoring efforts for the Purple, recording 20 points on 6-of-12 shooting, including 7-of-9 from the charity stripe. Anthony also tallied two rebounds, two steals, and a team-high eight assists in an all-around performance. Eight assists ties Anthony's season-high set Dec. 10, 2023, against Chicago State.
Senior Drake Dobbs and graduate student Parker Bjorklund scored 18 and 17 points respectively, with Bjorklund recording his second double-double of the season, grabbing 11 rebounds along with one assist and three steals. The St. Thomas starting five recorded 75 of the teams 83 points on 52 percent shooting (27-of-52) from the field, 41 percent from beyond the arc (7-of-17), along with 20 rebounds, 15 assists, 10 steals, and two blocks in the victory.
St. Thomas shot 50.8 percent from the field (30-59) and 40.9 percent from beyond the arc (9-22) while South Dakota finished the game shooting 56.9 percent overall (29-51) and 61.1 percent from 3-point range (11-18), as all 11 makes came in the first half. The Tommies outscored the Coyotes on fast break points (11-3), off turnovers (15-1), in the paint (42-30), and off second-chance points (11-6).
RECAP
Right from the tip-off St. Thomas and South Dakota traded baskets and five minutes into the ball game both teams were knotted at 13 points apiece. After a 3-point shooting clinic from the Coyotes, the Purple found themselves down 11 points, 33-22, at the under eight mark in the first half. A 5-0 run by Bjorklund cut the lead to nine points, 36-27, with 5:03 left in the half.
The red-hot 3-point shooting continued for the Coyotes as St. Thomas found themselves in a 10-point hole, 48-38, heading into the halftime break.
The St. Thomas men's basketball team battled back to start the second half as back-to-back jumpers from Anthony connected, a 3-pointer from Bjorklund, and Anthony and Bjorklund jumpers tied the game at 52 with 15:47 remaining. Over the next seven minutes both teams traded baskets and remained knotted up at 64 apiece with 8:18 left.
A 3-pointer by redshirt freshman Carter Bjerke at the 4:21 mark opened up the Tommie lead to five points, 73-68. Four straight made free throws by Anthony sealed the comeback win.
TOP TOMMIES
· Graduate student Raheem Anthony led the scoring efforts for the Purple, recording 20 points on 6-of-12 shooting, including 7-of-9 from the charity stripe. Anthony also tallied on two rebounds, two steals, and a team-high eight assists in an all-around performance.
· Senior Drake Dobbs and graduate student Parker Bjorklund scored 18 and 17 points respectively, with Bjorklund recording his second double-double of the season, grabbing 11 rebounds along with one assist and three steals. Bjorklund has led the Tommies in rebounds a team-best 10 times this season.
· Graduate student Brooks Allen scored 10 points in the first half and finished with 12 for the night on 5-of-10 shooting along with four rebounds and two steals.
· The St. Thomas starting five recorded 75 of the teams 83 points on 52 percent shooting (27-of-52) from the field, 41 percent from beyond the arc (7-of-17), along with 20 rebounds, 15 assists, 10 steals, and two blocks in the victory.
QUOTABLES
Head Coach Johnny Tauer on factors that led to Saturday night's victory over South Dakota:
"I think that our guys were able to weather the deficit and 3-point storm early on and understand there is a lot of game left. I thought our defense, active hands, and our veteran leadership provided a lot of trust and belief within the crew. I was really, really proud of how our veterans led us through this game.
"We had really good energy tonight. The crowd's energy was a big part in the victory, and they were instrumental in success tonight. The Summit League is such a competitive league and I have so much respect for everyone in the league, and we are thrilled to get a win against a tough squad."
UP NEXT
The Tommies continue Summit League play on the road as they travel to Fargo, N.D., to take on North Dakota State (13-14, 6-6 Summit League) on Thursday, Feb. 22, with tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m. CT. St. Thomas is currently behind 2-3 in the all-time series against the Bison with the Toms winning the last matchup on Jan. 25, 2024, 79-66.
FOLLOW ALONG
For more information on St. Thomas Men's Basketball, follow along on X (formerly Twitter) at @TommieMBBall and on Instagram at @TommieHoops
JOIN US
To reserve your seat to be a part of the Tommies' 2023-24 season, click HERE to view ticketing information and purchase options.
-- St. Thomas Athletics --
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