St. Thomas used its depth and balance to claim its record 10th MIAC men's basketball playoff championship, beating Gustavus Adolphus 83-77 on Sunday in St. Paul to claim an automatic berth into the NCAA Division III tournament.
The Tommies (24-3) got career-high scoring totals from reserves John Nance (20 points) and Brady Ervin (16), and standout senior Tyler Nicolai added 18 points as they claimed their sixth consecutive NCAA tournament berth and 12th in 31 seasons under coach Steve Fritz.
St. Thomas, which led 47-33 at halftime, got enough scoring to outduel the Gustavus pair of Seth Anderson (28 points) and Phil Wirtjes (23). The Gusties (15-13) had a late surge to pull within 75-72 with 1:16 to go, but St. Thomas held on by going 8-for-8 from the free-throw line in the final 38 seconds.
The Division III tournament field will be announced at noon Monday, with regular-season co-champion Carleton among the teams hoping to get an at-large bid.
Tommies men claim 10th MIAC championship
By News services
February 28, 2011 at 7:28AM
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Center Dawson Garcia played despite a groin injury, and starting guard Mike Mitchell Jr. and four others were absent for the Gophers. Among the results: a 14-point first half.
