Sophomore center Maggie Weiers’ 18 points and 19 rebounds guided the women’s basketball team to a 66-54 victory over Gustavus and a MIAC tournament championship Saturday, Feb. 25, at Schoenecker Arena.

Weiers, who said her game-high 19 rebounds is also a career best, came alive in the second half when her team needed her. The Tommies posted a 15-point halftime lead over the Gusties, but Gustavus put the pressure on St. Thomas in the second half with tough full-court pressure that caused the Tommies’ lead to dwindle to just two points.

“We were scrambling when they threw the press at us,” Weiers said. “It was just hard for us… hard to get the ball in, hard to reverse it.”

Senior center Sarah Smith, who also had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds, said the team’s guards did a solid job of handling the Gustie defense.

“We had such a hard time breaking their press, Smith said. “Once we did, we knew we had the game.”

In the second half, Weiers said she knew she had to be confident in her play in order to save her team’s season.

“When I went back into the game, it was not a matter of ‘am I going to make this shot?’ or not. I just had to make my shots,” Weiers said.

Even though St. Thomas lost its big lead halfway through the second half, Weiers said she thinks her team is playing to its potential.

“We can always get better, but I think we are playing our best and have no regrets after the game,” Weiers said.

The Tommies played strong team basketball in the first half. They scored first off a wide-open 3-pointer from senior guard Ali Johnson. Powerful post play by both Smith and Weiers helped build a double-digit lead for most of the first half. The pair made several lay ups and jump shots inside the lane, as well as coming up with big defensive blocks that ‘wowed’ the fans.

Smith said she thought her team came out inspired against the Gusties, a team it has already defeated twice this season.

“We knew how big of a game this was, and Gustavus is a big rival… I think we just knew we had to play as hard as we could,” Smith said.

The Tommies finished the first half with junior guard Kellie Ring driving hard to the basket. Ring glided past her defender and went up hard for the lay up, getting fouled in the process. She completed the 3-point play and gave her team a 38-23 lead.

Weiers said her team was poised with the ball during the first half, but lost its composure in the second half when the Gusties fought back and made it a close game.

“We had to calm down and focus on stepping through our passes and making strong cuts,” Weiers said. “Once we started doing the little things, we were fine.”

The “little things” paid off for the Tommies. With three minutes left in the game, Smith, Weiers and sophomore guard Kelly Brandenburg were able to get to the free throw line and made crucial baskets under pressure.

Smith said winning the conference tournament at home was “better than going to Disney Land” and is still shocked at all the success her team has had this season.

“As freshman, if someone told us we were going to undefeated in conference and win the championship, I would have not believed them,” Smith said. “Maybe if they paid me a million dollars.”

Weiers agreed, calling this season “unbelievable.”

“We should have had this last year, but we knew we had this coming,” Weiers said.

Hayley Schnell can be reached at schn3912@stthomas.edu.