Forward Maddie Wolkow scored 17 points en route to St. Thomas women’s basketball’s seventh consecutive MIAC playoff championship with a 62-56 win over Gustavus Saturday at Schoenecker Arena.
In a rematch of last year’s championship game, the Tommies (25-2 overall, 20-0 MIAC), with center Hannah Spaulding unable to play for the second straight game due to injury, played solid defense throughout the win over the Gusties (22-6 overall, 15-5 MIAC.)
“We did a really nice job in so many different areas,” coach Ruth Sinn said. “Success is an earned opportunity, to continue it, you have to stay focused, and they really have.”
Neither team could keep a stable lead in the first quarter. Gustavus guard Taylor Anderson was the only player to hit a trey as St. Thomas trailed the Gusties 11-13 at the end of the quarter.
St. Thomas found its three-point stride early in the second quarter, with Wolkow hitting two of the Tommies’ five to give St. Thomas a 34-28 lead at the half. Forward Kaia Porter and center Elsa Anderson led the team with seven points at the half.
Gustavus narrowed the deficit to two in the third quarter after hitting back-to-back treys. However, Wolkow hit a mid-range jumper and a trey to extend the lead back to seven.
Wolkow and guards Kaylie Brazil and Lucia Renikoff fought hard for the Tommies in the fourth quarter, allowing St. Thomas to withstand the Gusties and secure an automatic bid into the NCAA Division III tournament.
“It was really exciting,” Brazil said. “We kept our composure and we came out with a big win … It was a good day.”
For Wolkow and guard Lauren Fischer, both seniors, this was their fourth and final MIAC championship.
“(I’m) speechless,” Wolkow said. “It’s a tradition that we want to carry on.”
The Tommies will find out on Monday who their first-round opponent will be.
Matthew Curry can be reached at curr1523@stthomas.edu