St Thomas (MN) defeats UC Riverside 92-78
St. Thomas (MN) Dominates at Home, Cruises Past UC Riverside 92-78
In a highly anticipated non-conference matchup, St. Thomas (MN) proved why they're a force to be reckoned with on their home court, defeating visiting UC Riverside 92-78.
The Tommies came out strong in the first half, building a 18-point lead at one point and never looking back. Despite UC Riverside's valiant effort, St. Thomas's balanced attack and stifling defense proved too much to handle. The Tommies' largest lead of the game was 18 points, with their biggest advantage coming midway through the second half.
St. Thomas's star forward Nolan Minessale led the way for his team, scoring 27 points on 60% shooting from the field and converting just one of three 3-point attempts. Minessale also chipped in with four rebounds and seven assists, showcasing his well-rounded game.
Nick Janowski was another key contributor for St. Thomas, providing a triple-double of 16 points, four rebounds, and seven assists. The senior point guard's all-around play helped propel the Tommies to their convincing victory.
On the other side, UC Riverside struggled to find its rhythm against the stifling St. Thomas defense. Osiris Grady led the way for the Highlanders with 21 points on 53% shooting from the field, but his team was unable to overcome the deficit.
The Highlanders' inability to make shots beyond 2-point range proved costly, as they shot just 41% from downtown and made just seven of 17 attempts. Conversely, St. Thomas's accurate 3-point shooting (50%) helped them build a significant lead early on.
In terms of advanced statistics, St. Thomas's high true shooting percentage (71.5%) and effective field goal percentage (67.9%) demonstrate the team's efficiency on offense. Meanwhile, UC Riverside's struggles with turnover rate (18.6%) and free throw shooting (94% made) hindered their ability to stay in the game.
The win improves St. Thomas's chances in conference play and sets up a promising season ahead. For UC Riverside, the loss serves as a tough early-season test that highlights the need for improvement before conference play resumes.