Gabby Zehrer crosses her opponent, and dribbles up the court for a layup. (Ben Burke/TommieMedia)
Kaitlin Langer lines up to take her free throw. Langer made both shots. (Ben Burke/TommieMedia)
MacKenzie Denk defends against La Crosse opponent. Denk blocked the ball from being inbounded. (Ben Burke/TommieMedia)
First year Janelle Alba-Garner looks for an open pass.Alba-Garner had one assist in Monday night’s game. (Ben Burke/TommieMedia)
First-year Sarah Krynski fights for the ball. Krynski scored five points for the Tommies Monday night. (Ben Burke/TommieMedia)
Sophomore MacKenzie Denk sinks a jump shot for the Tommies. Denk had three points for the Tommies against UW La Crosse (Ben Burke/TommieMedia)
Kaylie Brazil goes up for a shot. Brazil had 4 points for the Tommies. (Ben Burke/TommieMedia)
Senior Gabby Zehrer recovers a turnover and carries the ball down the court. Zehrer had 21 points for St.Thomas against UW- Lacrosse. (Ben Burke/TommieMedia)
Forward Gabby Zehrer scored 21 points including 12 in the first half to lead the fifth-ranked St. Thomas women’s basketball team to a 81-45 victory over UW-La Crosse Monday at Schoenecker Arena to improve to 8-0 on the season.
The Tommies (8-0) never trailed the Eagles (5-3) and held a commanding 44-17 lead at halftime and led 25-5 after the first quarter.
St. Thomas coach Ruth Sinn thinks it was the team’s defense that gave the Tommies the big lead early.
“We pride ourselves on our defense,” Sinn said. “When we set with our defense, it gives us an opportunity to rebound and run the floor and I think you saw that particularly in the first quarter.”
Center Kaitlin Langer led the Tommies defensively with nine rebounds and one block.
St. Thomas used ball movement to combat the Eagles defense, leading to three-point opportunities for shooters such as Zehrer and forward Lauren Fischer.
After the Tommies had already built a commanding 29-7 lead early in the second quarter, Fischer hit back-to-back threes, both off cross-court passes in the corner to essentially put the game away before halftime.
“We often talk to the players about how important it is for the offense to have a cadence to it,” Sinn said. “The girls have done a great job moving the ball and it allowed us to get good shots.”
One of Zehrer’s three-point baskets came in the fourth quarter when she was being fouled by an Eagle defender. Zehrer made the free throw to complete a four-point play.
Zehrer missed 21 games last season due to injury and Sinn is happy to have her back on the floor.
“(Zehrer) does so many different things,” Sinn said. “She has really helped us and we are excited to have her back as another weapon.”
Apart from Zehrer’s 21 points, Langer and Fischer finished with 14 and 11 points respectively.
Next up for the Tommies is a matchup with Luther in Decorah, Iowa Dec. 16.
The last time the Tommies faced the Norse was in the 2015 NCAA tournament, a 60-57 St. Thomas win.
Taylor Smith can be reached at smit9660@stthomas.edu.