Defense dominates in 72-54 win over North Dakota

ST. PAUL, MINN. – The University of St. Thomas women's basketball team is back in the win column. The Tommies controlled Saturday's game versus the University of North Dakota from start to finish, downing the Fighting Hawks by a final score of 72-54. With the win, St. Thomas improved to 10-11 overall and 3-4 in the Summit League.

QUICK HITS:

St. Thomas limited North Dakota to just three points in the second quarter, the lowest scoring quarter for an opponent this season. It's the third time in Summit League play where the Tommies have held a conference opponent under 10 points in a single quarter. It happened twice versus Denver on January 8, 2026.
Mikayla Werner (Hortonville, Wis. / Hortonville) scored a career-high 16 points on 7-15 shooting and made her first career start Saturday afternoon. She also recorded three rebounds, two assists and three steals.
Autumn McCall (Blaine, Minn. / Centennial) scored a career-high 15 points Saturday afternoon, while Alyssa Sand (Albany, Minn. / Albany) recorded her second straight double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

SCORING SUMMARY:
First Quarter: St. Thomas set the tone from the opening tip, opening the game on a quick 7-0 burst behind early baskets from Werner and Sand. The Tommies pushed the margin to double digits midway through the quarter with a 9-2 run, capped by a Savannah McGowan (Plymouth, Minn. / Armstrong) three. North Dakota, though, closed the quarter on a 5-2 run to cut the lead to 17-13.

Second Quarter: St. Thomas dominated the second quarter, not allowing a single made field goal by the Fighting Hawks. Offensively, the Tommies went on a 10-0 run midway through the quarter and later extended the margin to 20 points after consecutive baskets from McCall and Werner. St. Thomas walked into the locker room in firm control of the game, leading 36-16 at the half.

Third Quarter: North Dakota showed life coming out of the break, opening the half with improved shooting and cutting into the Tommie lead. St. Thomas answered with timely baskets, including a key three from Faith Feuerbach (Sycamore, Ill. / Sycamore) and a strong finish inside by Werner to maintain separation. Despite the Fighting Hawks winning the quarter, the Tommies still held a comfortable 49-34 advantage entering the fourth.

Fourth Quarter: St. Thomas left no doubt in the fourth quarter, as the Tommies quickly pushed their lead back to 20 thanks to a strong attack in the paint. St. Thomas truly secured its lead from the free throw line, clinching its 72-54 victory.

UP NEXT:
St. Thomas will hit the road for its next Summit League contest, traveling to Vermillion, South Dakota to take on the University of South Dakota. Tip off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

Defense dominates in 72-54 win over North Dakota

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Team Stats

Mikayla Werner

Autumn McCall

Alyssa Sand

Faith Feuerbach

Players Mentioned

Faith Feuerbach

Autumn McCall

Savannah McGowan

Mikayla Werner

University of St. Thomas Athletics