The Tommies (3-1 overall, 3-0 MIAC) won their third in a row and are alone in the MIAC lead. They shot 62% from the field in the second half (13-of-21) and recovered from a seven-point first-half deficit.
Junior guard Sean Sweeney had 11 points and five assists and Joey Shimek added 10 points for the Tommies, who shot 49% from the field and made 9-of-12 at the foul line.
Carleton, Gustavus and Bethel all lost Wednesday to fall one game behind UST in the early conference race. Augsburg's upset win at Carleton puts the Auggies one-half game back at 3-1.
Gustavus junior forward Adam TeBrake, who had a game-high 24 points, had a potential game-tying 3-point shot from near half court hit the rim and bounce away at the buzzer.
Trailing 60-59, the Gusties had a chance for a winning shot in the final 30 seconds but an errant pass was tipped away. UST's Sean Sweeney came up with the loose ball in the corner and called timeout with :04 left. He was fouled on an inbounds play and made two free throws to extend the lead to 62-59.
The Gusties (3-2, 2-1) had only nine turnovers and sank eight 3-point baskets, but converted just 9-of-19 at the foul line (2-of-10 in the first half).
Gustavus senior Doug Espenson had 12 points and six rebounds but fouled out with 58 seconds left and the Toms clinging to a 58-57 lead. Rosefelt made two free throws for a 60-57 lead, but TeBrake was fouled and converted two free throws with 49 seconds left to pull Gustavus back within one point.
St. Thomas missed a 3-point shot with 30 seconds left, and Gustavus rebounded with a chance to take the lead. With the clock under 10 seconds, a cross-court pass was tipped by Sweeney, and the UST junior was first to the ball and called a time out in traffic.
UST had a 16-5 mid-game run to gain momentum. Junior guard Alex Weaver hit a 3-pointer with 30 seconds left in the first half to cut the Gustie lead to 31-27 at halftime. UST senior guard Neal Anderson scored seven points to fuel a 13-5 run over the first 5:00 of the second half.
UST junior Bryan Schnettler's 3-point basket with 12:06 put UST ahead to stay at 45-42, although the Gusties hung close.
St. Thomas plays Saturday at Division II Winona State.