St. Thomas Dominates South Dakota with 90-78 Victory

In a commanding performance, the St. Thomas Tommies defeated the South Dakota Coyotes 90-78 on March 2, 2024. This victory marked the completion of a season sweep against South Dakota, reinforcing St. Thomas’ strong position in the Summit League standings.

Leading the charge for the Tommies was Nick Janowski, who scored an impressive 23 points on 8-for-13 shooting, alongside five rebounds. His contributions were pivotal as all eight players from St. Thomas who entered the game scored at least eight points, showcasing the team’s depth and versatility. The Tommies shot 30 for 56 from the field, including 10 for 24 from three-point range.

The Coyotes initially took control of the game, leading by as many as nine points in the first half and holding a two-point advantage at halftime. However, the second half saw a shift in momentum. A decisive 16-2 run by St. Thomas, capped off by a three-pointer from Janowski, allowed the Tommies to extend their lead to 16 points with just six minutes remaining.

For South Dakota, Jordan Crawford emerged as the standout player, scoring 22 points despite a challenging shooting performance from his teammates. The Coyotes struggled from beyond the arc, making only 7 of 21 attempts. As a result, South Dakota fell to a record of 11-11 overall and 3-4 in the Summit League.

In addition to Janowski’s scoring, Austin Herro played a crucial role in the victory, securing nine rebounds as St. Thomas dominated the boards, out-rebounding South Dakota 38-25. This dominance contributed significantly to their successful campaign, with the Tommies now winning 11 of their last 12 games. Currently, they hold a firm second place in the Summit League standings, trailing only North Dakota State.

The Tommies will look to maintain their momentum as they prepare for their next game on Thursday, when they host North Dakota in St. Paul.