Women’s basketball loses, still in contention for MIAC title

Guard Kelly Brandenburg scored 14 points, but St. Thomas dropped a critical matchup against Concordia-Moorhead 60-57 Saturday to drop into second place in the MIAC with two games remaining.

The loss sets the stage for intense conference play this week, with No. 17-ranked St. Mary’s leading by one game with two games remaining. St. Thomas is tied for second with Concordia, but the Cobbers hold the tie-breaker with two victories over the Tommies.

The No. 16th-ranked Tommies (17-3, 19-4) struggled from beyond the arc and from the field. The Tommies were 0-12 from 3-point range and shot 38.2 percent from the field.

Brandenburg added six rebounds and three assists. Forward Taylor Young scored 12 points and guard Jenna Dockter returned from her injury to score 11.

Dockter re-entered the rotation this week after missing the first 23 games due to a knee injury. She was a starter for the Tommies last year.

St. Thomas has already qualified for the MIAC playoffs, currently holding the third seed behind St. Mary’s and Concordia. The Tommies resume conference play Wednesday night against Gustavus at home.

Men’s basketball clinches share of MIAC title with win

The No. 11-ranked St. Thomas men’s basketball team, led by center Connor Nord’s 21 points, clinched at least a share of the MIAC title with a 81-67 win over Concordia Saturday in Moorhead.

The Tommies got out to an early lead behind hot 3-point shooting, leading the Cobbers by 23 at halftime. The Tommies went 8-14 from 3-point range in the game and extended their lead to 32 points early in the second half.

“We shot really well, and we were really focused on defense and converted on offense,” center Josh Pella said.

Guard Erik Tengwall said the team’s relaxed playing and confident attitude have been key factors in its success.

“What helped us win that game was just maintaining our plays and keeping focused,” Tengwall said.

The win gives the Tommies the chance to clinch the MIAC title outright with a win in either of their last two games, or a loss by St. Olaf in one of theirs. This is St. Thomas’ ninth-consecutive MIAC title and ninth consecutive 20-win season.

“It’s really important (to win a ninth-straight title) because we have never done it before. It’s a way to continue history from when it first started,” Pella said.

The men are back in action Wednesday as they travel to St. Peter to take on Gustavus.

“We’re trying to get better everyday,” Tengwall said.

Men’s hockey defeats Gustavus, clinches MIAC title

The No. 7-ranked men’s hockey team rallied behind senior Bryce Walker’s first goal of the season to clinch its third-consecutive MIAC title with a 4-1 victory over second-place Gustavus Saturday in St. Peter.

Walker said his goal motivated his teammates.

“I think it kind of lifted the team and we played well after that,” Walker said.

The Tommies, who remain unbeaten in conference play this season, will go into the MIAC playoffs as the number one seed.

Goaltender Drew Fielding had another outstanding game in net for the Tommies, saving 24 of 25 shots, keeping the Gustie offense in check.

The St. Thomas offense took over in the third period after the teams entered the second intermission tied 1-1. The Tommies scored the final three goals to clinch the game and title.

The team will finish its regular season this weekend with two games against St. John’s before heading to the MIAC playoffs.

Forward Tyler Gubb said the rivalry between St. Thomas and St. John’s will always create excitement.

“They’re a very competitive team. We’re definitely going to expect a lot of them,” Gubb said.