In her last regular-season home game, lone senior Kellie Ring stole the show with 15 points, leading the St. Thomas women’s basketball team past St. Benedict 65-46.

After recognizing Ring in the pre-game Senior Day event, the Tommies jumped to a quick 10-0 lead and never looked back.

After suffering their first MIAC defeat to the Blazers (18-5 overall, 16-4 MIAC) Jan. 12, the Tommies (18-5 overall, 16-4 MIAC) avenged that loss and extended their five-game winning streak, and are now second place in the MIAC.

Ring could not be happier with her final home game of the regular season.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better day,” Ring said. “Everybody has been so awesome, and I couldn’t ask to play a better team.”

Coach Ruth Sinn said the Tommie defense as a key factor in the victory.

“We’re not going to give them easy, open shots,” Sinn said. “We want to make sure that they’re working for shots and we only want to give up one possession.”

St. Thomas held St. Benedict to only 26.7 percent shooting in the first half and 30.9 percent in the game. The Tommies outrebounded the Blazers 47-22.

Forward Taylor Young echoed the importance of clamping down on the defensive side of the ball.

“In practice, we really focused on the small details to shut them down, shut down the lane and box out,” Young said. “Tonight, we just wanted it … we competed really well.”

Young grabbed six boards and had five blocks. She was equally effective on offense, scoring 18 points, two short of tying her career-high.

After St. Thomas held a 20-4 lead midway through the first half, St. Benedict cut the lead to nine with seven minutes before the break. However, a crucial Young 3-pointer shut the door on the Blazer comeback as the Tommies cruised to a 32-19 halftime lead.

Young continued her dominant play in the second half when she scored or assisted on three straight possessions to create the Tommies’ first six points after the break.

“At halftime our main focus was to not have a lapse, to keep our energy up and just not let up and not let them believe that they could get back in the game,” Young said.

The Tommies continued to dominate in the second half and coasted to the 19-point victory over the Blazers, who were second in the MIAC standings coming into today’s game. With the win, St. Thomas moves into a three-way tie with St. Benedict and St. Mary for second in the MIAC with two games remaining in the regular season.

Ring said the support from her teammates and coaches has help make her so proud to play at St. Thomas.

“It was awesome to see everyone play so well, and I feel blessed to be part of this program,” Ring said.

While today’s win gives the Tommies confidence in the upcoming postseason, the team continues to focus on improving each day.

“We really have to focus on what we have control over and how we play the game,” Sinn said. “There’s still room for improvement.”

Jacob Sevening can be reached at seve8586@stthomas.edu.