MIAC Men's Basketball/at St. Paul
St. Thomas 94, Concordia-Moorhead 80
Sophomore guard Bryan Schnettler had 20 of his 23 points in the second half, including 4-of-4 from 3-point range, as host St. Thomas (10-4 overall, 10-0 MIAC) won its seventh game in 15 days with a 94-80 victory over Concordia-Moorhead (6-8, 4-5) in MIAC men's basketball play Monday night in St. Paul.
The Toms, 5-0 at home this season, shot 56% from the field (32-of-57), made 21-of-26 at the foul line, had only seven turnovers and outrebounded Concordia 31-23. UST also had a 39-13 advantage in bench scoring.
Sophomore Isaac Rosefelt had his ninth double-double of the season. He collected 12 rebounds and scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half and added five assists, three blocks and three steals with no tunovers. Junor guard Sean Sweeney scored 16 points, senior guard Neal Anderson had 10 points, and junior forward Joey Shimek had nine points and nine rebounds.
UST survived Cobber junior guard Keith Eckhoff's 36-point performance. Eckhoff sank 9-of-11 from 3-point range and finished two off the MIAC record for treys made in a conference game last achieved 13 years ago. He had 16 points on 4-for-4 shots from beyond the arc in the first hallf and 20 second-half points.
Jason Miller had 15 points and Luke Linz had 12 points for the Cobbers, who 56% from the field (29-of-52).
Cobber senior standout Soren Nelson was plagued by fouls and played just 24 minutes with nine points.
The Toms, who led 39-35 at halftime, fell behind 55-54 with 12:41 to play as Eckhoff converted a three-point play. UST answered with an 8-0 surge, keyed by two Rosefelt baskets, to take the lead for good.
The Cobs pulled within 75-69 with 5:13 left on Eckhoffs 3-point basket, but the Toms responded with a 12-3 run over the next 3:11 to push the lead back to 15.
St. Thomas has a bye Wednesday night and finishes the first half of its 20-game MIAC race with a 2.5-lead over runner-up Gustavus and 3.5-lead over third-place Carleton. The Tommies host Carleton Saturday (3 p.m.) in a rematch of a 67-66 UST win in Northfield Jan. 10.