The last time the University of St. Thomas was in the Denny Sanford Center, they were playing Oral Roberts. Brooks Allen hit the first three pointer in that game, and he did again tonight against the Bison of NDSU. That shot was a harbinger of the aerial barrage that was about to come in the first half. Boden Skunberg, who cooked UST less than a month ago, looked motivated early for NDSU. Skunberg hit 3 shots in quick succession over the course of first 4 minutes to get to 7 points, and then disappeared for the rest of the half, not taking even another shot. After Bo hit his 3rd shot, Carter Bjerke came in, and it is fair to say that it changed the trajectory of the game. Bjerke did not wait long to get a wide open look, and buried it…and another a minute later. He took a quick break and got in, waiting only a minute to shoot and make another. When all was said and done he shot five threes, and made four.
NDSU’s initial burst was short lived, and UST truly took over the rest of the way. Kendall Blue at the half had 13, going 5-5 from the field. NDSU early on was resorting to somewhat desperate plays in an attempt to breakup their at times 5 minute scoring droughts. NDSU had 11 turnovers at the half, and UST was able to take advantage of it for 22 points. At the half St. Thomas was firmly in control 42-22.
St. Thomas came out in the second half, and immediately allowed a 12-0 to the Bison. Drake Dobbs broke up the 6 minute UST scoring drought on a Drake Dobbs three pointer. That was the start of a 7-0 UST run, and a 4 minute NDSU scoring drought. It was almost as if the teams were taking their turns scoring for the first ten minutes. Ryan Dufault came alive in the second half scoring ten points including converting 2 “and 1” layups. Ryan was making a ton of opportunities, and no matter how covered he was, he always found the backboard and got the shot to go. NDSU’s White was their second half MVP, he had 13, including 3 triples, but in the end it was just not enough for NDSU to overcome. NDSU ended the game on an 11-1 run to make the final score look not as bad to finish the game 68-58. St. Thomas also controlled the tempo of this game, it could go down as one of the slowest. UST is at their best when they are able to take their time to setup good looks, and then go even slower with the lead, they pulled that plan off perfectly tonight. Your top scorer tonight, Kendall Blue who went 3-3 from deep and 6-7 from the field. UST’s Bench is only going to get more important if they want to win this tournament, and it is good to see they showed up ready to play with 2 of the top 3 scorers coming off the bench.
Up-Next for St. Thomas: The Jackrabbits of South Dakota State-Preview Tommorrow.
Roll Toms.