St Thomas (MN) defeats UNC Asheville 59-80

St Thomas (MN) Dominates UNC Asheville in Statement Win, 80-59

Kimmel Arena, home of the UNC Asheville Bulldogs, witnessed a crushing blowout win by the St Thomas Tommies as they left Asheville with an 80-59 victory on Saturday night.

The game was never in doubt, as St Thomas (MN) came out strong from the opening tip, building a 25-3 advantage midway through the first half. The visiting team continued to push their pace, leading by 21 points at halftime and carrying that momentum into the second half.

For UNC Asheville, Kameron Taylor led the way with 22 points but was unable to stem the tide against the Tommies' stifling defense. Myles Mayfield chipped in with eight rebounds and seven points for the home team.

On the other hand, St Thomas (MN) had four players reach double digits in scoring. Nolan Minessale paced the Tommies with 23 points, showcasing his accuracy from beyond the arc with a perfect 2-for-2 record from three-point range. Isaiah Johnson-Arigu added nine points, seven rebounds, and one assist to complement Minessale's performance.

The game was marked by St Thomas (MN)'s strong overall shooting percentages, particularly in the field goal department at 51% (29/57) compared to UNC Asheville's 43%. The Tommies also outrebounded their opponents 32-32 while committing fewer turnovers (9 vs. 16). Additionally, they demonstrated a higher true shooting percentage and were more efficient with their free throws.

This win serves as a statement for St Thomas (MN), demonstrating their ability to compete against top-tier programs in the NCAA Division I. The outcome is significant not just because of the opponent but also due to its timing, coming during a non-conference slate that will test the Tommies' mettle against various opponents.

In conclusion, the St Thomas (MN) Tommies' convincing 80-59 victory over UNC Asheville at Kimmel Arena was a dominant performance that showcases their capabilities. With this win, they have made a strong statement in their NCAA Division I basketball journey and will look to carry this momentum into future matchups.