The St. Thomas women’s basketball team avenged its loss to Augsburg University last year in the MIAC semifinals Saturday at Schoenecker Arena as first-year guard Katelyn Stanley led the Tommies to a 89-42 win with 14 points.

The Tommies (4-1 overall, 3-1 MIAC) bounced back from Wednesday’s loss to St. Ben’s, a game in which senior shooting guard Macy Hatlestad surpassed 100 career 3-point baskets. On Saturday, she scored nine points for the Tommies.

“I understand that three-point shooting is my strength, but I’m not concerned with how many points I score or setting records,” Hatlestad said. “A big part of my role on the team is being able to stretch the floor to open things up for other people, and if I can do that, then I’m helping my teammates.”

The Tommies led for the entire game after senior forward Kaia Porter established their lead in the first period by capturing the first two points of the game.

Sophomore guard Madi Schirmer suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter that kept her out the rest of the game. Coach Ruth Sinn praised her impact on the game, contributing six points in the time she was on the court.

“In the three minutes she was in, wasn’t she fantastic? Such great energy and purpose and she’s really taken some great steps athletically.” Sinn said.

Luckily, the Tommies were able to continue on.

“We can make each other stronger and better, and I think when Madi went down that was another thing, it’s like OK guys, we gotta lockdown and we got to really be together here with this,” Sinn said.

Part of that strength comes from the experience and skills that seniors like Hatlestad bring to the game.

“Knowing the system and knowing how we play has also been able to help me teach our sophomores, our freshmen, our juniors, and really just be a players coach team on and off the floor,” Hatlestad said.

Sinn also values the experience that players bring to the team in regards to coaching others.

“It’s not just coach to player, it’s player to player, we always talk about having a player’s coach team,” Sinn said. “I loved at the end when we had some of our reserves in you saw our starters out there, coaching them and cheering for them, just like it was them doing it out there on the floor and that’s when you know you’ve got a very special team.”

This was the Tommies third home game this season after their home game scheduled against Gustavus on Feb. 13 was postponed due to COVID-19 protocols. Hatlestad acknowledges the issue with being away from the teams’ home court.

“On the road it’s tough to be mentally engaged. We saw that in all of our game against St. Ben’s on Wednesday, we physically showed up, but mentally didn’t show up ready to play and ready to compete.” Hatlestad said.

Sinn reflected on the strangeness of this entire season.

“In this situation, it’s such an odd season. We’re so isolated, we go on a road trip and it’s the one time that we can sit down, socially distanced and spaced, but together. Otherwise, we are only together for practice and games. We really do miss that.” Sinn said.

The Tommies will be back on their home court Wednesday at 7 p.m. against Gustavus.

“At home, there’s just that extra sense of pride and to get that win on the home court,” Hatlestad said. “We don’t have fans right now, but just maintain our standards and hold each other accountable and bring that energy like we had on the sideline and on the court today, it just brings it to a whole other level.”

Owen Larson can be reached at lars6521@stthomas.edu.