Guard John Veil looks for the open man as he’s swarmed by tight Auggie defense. Veil played 12 minutes in the MIAC Quarterfinal game against Augsburg Wednesday night. (Davis Narey/TommieMedia)
The Auggie fans argue a questionable call. The fans cheered their team to victory over St. Thomas Wednesday night. (Davis Narey/TommieMedia)
Forward Ryan Boll extends his shot over the reach of two Auggie defenders. Boll secured six rebounds against Augsburg Wednesday night. (Davis Narey/TommieMedia)
Guard John Veil and Auggie Booker Coplin go after a loose ball. Augsburg lead by 8 points after the first half. (Davis Narey/TommieMedia)
Coach John Tauer reacts to the outcome of the game against Augsburg Wednesday night. St. Thomas finished the regular season with a record of 14-12. (Davis Narey/TommieMedia)
Looking defeated, forward Ryan Boll and guard Burt Hedstrom take the court late in the second half. Augsburg outscored St. Thomas 39-35 in the second half Wednesday night. (Davis Narey/TommieMedia)
The Tommies discuss an urgent game plan near half-court late in the second half. St. Thomas was unable to regain the lead throughout the whole second half. (Davis Narey/TommieMedia)
Guard Michael Hannon looks up at the final score as the Tommies head off the court for the last time this season. Hannon posted 15 points against Augsburg Wednesday night. (Davis Narey/TommieMedia)
Forward Ryan Boll pulls up for a jumper. Boll had 7 points against Augsburg Wednesday night. (Davis Narey/TommieMedia)
Guard John Veil calls out a play in the first half. St. Thomas shot 32 percent from the field against Augsburg Wednesday night. (Davis Narey/TommieMedia)
Guard Burt Hedstrom plays tight defense on Auggie Kevin McKiernan. Augsburg was able to score 67 points and shot 45 percent from the field against St. Thomas Wednesday night. (Davis Narey/TommieMedia)
Forward Ryan Boll makes his way through his last round of handshakes after the game Wednesday night. This was Boll’s last game of his St. Thomas basketball career. (Davis Narey/TommieMedia)
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Augsburg defeated the St. Thomas men’s basketball team 67-55 on Wednesday evening in the first round of the MIAC playoffs, likely putting an end to the Tommies’ season.
St. Thomas’ (14-12 overall, 12-8 MIAC) first-round exit marks the first time since 2005 that the team has failed to capture the MIAC championship. Coach John Tauer suspects that his team’s extended dominance over the conference provided opposing teams with a bit of extra motivation this season.
“This team had a big target on their back,” Tauer said. “I think our young guys probably learned a lot from that. Not always easy lessons, but valuable ones.”
Augsburg (19-7 overall, 13-7 MIAC) jumped out to an early 12-3 lead in the first few minutes of the game and never relinquished control. The Auggies extended their first half lead to 13 points, but St. Thomas was able to trim the lead to eight heading into half.
Augsburg forward Collin Olmscheid typically leads the team on offense, but on Wednesday night the Auggies’ points were evenly distributed. Four of Augsburg’s five starters tallied double-figure scoring totals.
Guard Michael Hannon led the Tommies offensively, scoring 15 points off three treys. His eight straight points narrowed the gap to four points midway through the second half, but Augsburg quickly gained back the momentum.
The Tommies missed a number of open shots down the stretch, and a seven point scoring burst from Augsburg guard Kevin McKiernan closed the door on St. Thomas’ season.
“The effort was there, we just couldn’t hit shots,” guard Burt Hedstrom said. “You’ve got to tip your hat to Augsburg they played well tonight.”
St. Thomas was hurt by turnovers all night. Augsburg scored 23 points off turnovers to St. Thomas’ 11.
“I didn’t think we took care of the ball well enough in the first half,” Tauer said. “We missed some open shots, but I also give a lot of credit to Augsburg’s defense.”
Tauer hopes to see significant growth from his young team in the off-season.
“We have a lot of guys that have a chance to become outstanding players. The next eight months they have while they’re on their own is where a lot of improvement is made,” Tauer said.
Seniors Ryan Boll, Tyler Potts and John Veil suited up in purple for the final time on Wednesday evening. St. Thomas will return four of its five starters for next season.
Kyle Manderfeld can be contacted at mand4052@stthomas.edu