Graduate guard Riley Miller sank three 3-pointers at Schoenecker Arena for the last time in his St. Thomas career to help lead the Tommies to a 82-69 victory over Western Illinois Saturday night.
The Tommies (18-11, 9-7 Summit) were able to defeat the Leathernecks (15-12, 8-8 Summit) despite a slow first half in which the Tommies were down seven points at one point.
“They came out really strong,” coach Johnny Tauer said of the Leathernecks. “We weren’t probably quite as crisp and sometimes that happens on a senior night, there’s a lot of emotions for everybody.”
Western Illinois pressured St. Thomas early with their full-court press defense, resulting in 10 points off of 16 total St. Thomas turnovers.
“We had 16 turnovers and that’s way more than we want… I didn’t think we handled it very well and that’s something we’ve got to get better at,” Tauer said.
The Tommies continued to stay close behind the Leathernecks despite their first-half deficit, and even managed to briefly retake the lead when Miller connected on a step-back 3-pointer with just under 11 minutes left to play in the first half. Two minutes later, Miller hit a second 3-pointer from well beyond the arc that brought the fans to their feet.
“I just watched the video… I didn’t realize I was that deep,” Miller said.
Miller has always been a reliable shooter for the Tommies, upending some teams’ defenses, and Tauer never lacks confidence in his graduate guard.
“When he shoots, I don’t ever care where it’s from… if his feet are set from 35 feet and in,” Tauer said. “There are some teams that will guard him sometimes and we just move him away from the hoop to see how far people will guard him, and it’s the ultimate sign of respect.”
After a quick 6-0 run from first-year duo Kendall Blue and Ahjany Lee, graduate forward Parker Bjorklund gave the Tommies the lead they would hold for the rest of the game with a 3-pointer. After an on-the-run corner 3-pointer from Miller, and a last-second jumper from Rohde, the Tommies headed into the locker room with a 36-29 lead over the Leathernecks.
Western Illinois opened the second half with a bucket, but St. Thomas responded quickly with two back-to-back baskets.
“I thought we came out in the second half and got really good shots. We didn’t make all of them… but I thought the way we were playing was really good,” Tauer said.
The Tommies continued to pile on the points, leading by as many as 14 in the second half. First-year guard Andrew Rohde led the offensive effort with 19 second-half points.
The Tommies continued to control the game down the stretch and were able to leave the Leathernecks behind thanks, in part, to Miller connecting with Lee on a crowd pleasing alley-oop dunk with 6 minutes left in the game.
“I thought tonight was a great collective effort,” Tauer said.
It was a bittersweet night for the Tommies as it was their last home game of the season, and the last for their four seniors: Riley Miller, Parker Bjorklund, Will Engels and Brooks Allen.
“It’s such a joy to coach him and all these guys… and when you think about all their journeys, I’m biased, but I think it’s one of the coolest stories in college basketball,” Tauer said.
As one of the players who helped usher in the Division I era for St. Thomas, Miller finds satisfaction in the legacy he will leave behind.
“It’s just been a blast to see it come full circle, and not only are we playing well at the Division I level, but we’re excelling,” Miller said.
Despite losing four members of his roster next season, Tauer is confident in the future of St. Thomas men’s basketball.
“There’s a reason the state of Minnesota is on our court. We’re very proud of that and I think we’re going to be a story that people around here are going to continue to follow,” Tauer said.
The Tommies will wrap up their regular season with a road trip to North Dakota that starts when they take on North Dakota State University Thursday, Feb. 23 at the Scheels Center.
Adam Mueller can be reached at muel7541@stthomas.edu.