Freshman Simeon Davis looks for an opening during the second half. The Toms’ broke the school record with 20 three-point baskets made by eight different players. (Sophie Ringold/TommieMedia)
Senior Tyler Potts looks for an opening during the first period. Potts contributed seven assists during the game against Macalester. (Sophie Ringold/TommieMedia)
Guard Michael Hannon gets his hands on the ball and prepares to pass to a teammate. 15 players suited up and contributed to the 122-74 defeat of Macalester. (Sophie Ringold/TommieMedia)
Sophomore Jack Sowada is congratulated by his teammates after a successful 3-pt. jump shot. Jack Sowada played for 11 minutes and scored a game-high of 22 points. (Sophie Ringold/TommieMedia)
Guard Thomas Madison runs by the Macalester defense during the second half. The Tommies have five games left in the regular season. (Sophie Ringold/TommieMedia)
Jack Sowada, Thomas Madison, and Trey Mack celebrate the three-point basket made by Sowada. UST’s 122 points set a program record. (Sophie Ringold/TommieMedia)
Guard Trey Mack advances the ball down the court late in the game against Macalester. Mack made all three of his field goal attempts and added one assist and one rebound. (Sophie Ringold/TommieMedia)
Guard Ryan Lindberg looks for an open pass. Lindberg led the Tommie starters with 16 points and four assists. (Sophie Ringold/TommieMedia)
Red-hot shooting and a fast-paced tempo enabled the St. Thomas men’s basketball team to break the school’s three-point shooting during a 122-74 thrashing of the Macalester Scots Wednesday night at Schoenecker Arena.
The Tommies (10-5 MIAC, 12-8 overall) converted 20 three-pointers, a historic performance that came a mere two days after the team drained 16 treys against St. Mary’s, which set the previous school record.
“All of us are capable three-point shooters,” guard Ryan Lindberg said, “and with the fast pace and the way (Macalester) presses, you get a lot of wide open threes coming out of transition.”
Lindberg contributed four three-point baskets and 16 total points in the matchup. Lindberg wasn’t the only freshman to get in on the action; six of the Tommies’ first-years poured in a combined 70 points.
“I think our freshmen and sophomores have bright futures,” coach John Tauer said. “We like the depth in our program and the freshmen are all making strides.”
Macalester (1-13 MIAC, 2-17 overall) implemented a full-court press focused on trapping St. Thomas’ primary ball-handler. Macalester was hoping to force turnovers and fluster the Tommies, but the Scots could only manage 17 points off of takeaways.
St. Thomas broke a large majority of Macalester’s traps, which led to an abundance of open treys, layups and even an alley-oop from Ryan Lindberg to Connor Bair. Bair finished the game with 18 points off the bench.
With the game in hand and 10 minutes remaining in the second half, Tauer opted to play reserves that rarely see the floor. Forward Jack Sowada seized the moment, scoring a game-high 22 points. Sowada’s scorching hot display had the St. Thomas bench and fans alike up out of their seats in excitement.
“I come into the game hot,” Sowada said of his impressive performance.
The win put St. Thomas at a season-high four games over .500 and in fourth place in the MIAC. The Tommies will seek to carry the same shooting touch into their next game against Carleton, who sits a half game behind St. Thomas in the MIAC.
Kyle Manderfeld can be reached at mand4052@stthomas.edu.