St. Thomas men’s basketball guard Marcus Alipate was voted into the Division-III Reese’s College All-Star game after winning the final fan selection.

Alipate picked up 24 percent of the vote in the 48-hour poll, finishing second behind St. Joseph’s (New York) David Louison, who earned 27 percent of the vote. Both players will be sent to the game, which will take place Saturday, March 21 in Salem, Virginia.

“I definitely want to thank all the fans and everyone who supported me, not only for this campaign, but for the last four years I’ve been here at St. Thomas,” Alipate said. “Individually, I think it was something that I worked really hard for, not necessarily to make it to the All-Star game, but to be recognized on a level like that. I definitely appreciate it.”

Alipate led the Tommies in scoring this season, averaging 13.2 points per game. Alipate has been a part of the men’s basketball team at St. Thomas since his freshman year, following a successful career at Bloomington-Jefferson High School. He has helped the Tommies to a 98-19 over the past four years including an appearance in the Final Four during the 2013 season.

Alipate was quick to recognize the impact his team and St. Thomas had on his receiving the nomination.

“It gives credit to our team and the program that I came from and what it’s done for me. It’s made me into the player I am today,” Alipate said. “I think it’s going to be a lot of fun not only representing St. Thomas basketball but also representing the University of St. Thomas.”

The Tommies ended their season with a 71-70 loss to Northwestern (St. Paul) last weekend in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The opportunity to play in the All-Star game allows Alipate to don the purple and white for one last game.

“I’m ecstatic about being able to put on the St. Thomas jersey one last time. Hopefully I’ll get a win and have the chance to end my career in a win,” Alipate said. “Not many people can say that, and I definitely feel blessed to be in the position I’m in.”