Red-hot shooting and a fast-paced tempo enabled the St. Thomas men’s basketball team to break the school’s three-point shooting during a 122-74 thrashing of the Macalester Scots Wednesday night at Schoenecker Arena.
The Tommies (10-5 MIAC, 12-8 overall) converted 20 three-pointers, a historic performance that came a mere two days after the team drained 16 treys against St. Mary’s, which set the previous school record.
“All of us are capable three-point shooters,” guard Ryan Lindberg said, “and with the fast pace and the way (Macalester) presses, you get a lot of wide open threes coming out of transition.”
Lindberg contributed four three-point baskets and 16 total points in the matchup. Lindberg wasn’t the only freshman to get in on the action; six of the Tommies’ first-years poured in a combined 70 points.
“I think our freshmen and sophomores have bright futures,” coach John Tauer said. “We like the depth in our program and the freshmen are all making strides.”
Macalester (1-13 MIAC, 2-17 overall) implemented a full-court press focused on trapping St. Thomas’ primary ball-handler. Macalester was hoping to force turnovers and fluster the Tommies, but the Scots could only manage 17 points off of takeaways.
St. Thomas broke a large majority of Macalester’s traps, which led to an abundance of open treys, layups and even an alley-oop from Ryan Lindberg to Connor Bair. Bair finished the game with 18 points off the bench.
With the game in hand and 10 minutes remaining in the second half, Tauer opted to play reserves that rarely see the floor. Forward Jack Sowada seized the moment, scoring a game-high 22 points. Sowada’s scorching hot display had the St. Thomas bench and fans alike up out of their seats in excitement.
“I come into the game hot,” Sowada said of his impressive performance.
The win put St. Thomas at a season-high four games over .500 and in fourth place in the MIAC. The Tommies will seek to carry the same shooting touch into their next game against Carleton, who sits a half game behind St. Thomas in the MIAC.
Kyle Manderfeld can be reached at mand4052@stthomas.edu.