Sean Sweeney went 4-for-6 from three point range, adding 16 points and four assists for the Tommies, while Bryan Schnettler added 15 points and five assists. Mike Keating had nine points and six assists.
Tom Conboy paced Macalester with 19 points and Brendan Bosman provided 16 points and 10 boards. Nate Assel scored 14 points, going 3-for-3 on three-pointers, and Jesse Hollander added 11 points.
The Scots led 20-8 midway through the first half before St. Thomas took charge with a 25-9 run to go up 33-29 at the intermission. Sweeney had 13 of his points in the second half to help the Tommies extend their lead to 13 points at 61-48 with 6:41 to go. Macalester fought back and cut the UST lead to four at 66-62 with 1:51 left in the game.
The Tommies, however, hung on by getting a Keating offensive rebound and basket at 1:19, and four Sweeney free throws in the final minute.
St. Thomas shot 52%, including 47% (7-for-15) on threes. Macalester shot 46% and went 6-for-9 from behind the arc. The Scots out-rebounded the guests 32-24, but UST blocked nine shots on the day.
Both teams return to MIAC action Monday (Dec. 5), with Macalester playing at St. Mary’s and UST playing at Hamline.