MOORHEAD, Minn. — Clutch free throws by guard Kellie Ring and center Anna Smith sealed the No. 2-seeded St. Thomas women’s basketball team’s 58-50 win against top-seeded Concordia-Moorhead Saturday.

Up 53-50 with 21.2 seconds left, Ring and Smith went a combined five-for-six from the line and the team forced two key Cobber turnovers, earning the Tommies (22-5) the MIAC playoff championship and an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

It is St. Thomas’ third playoff championship in four years and its ninth consecutive win this season.

The Tommies went on a 21-7 run to end the game. Coach Ruth Sinn said her team kept its composure in an intense finish to the championship game.

“In that situation, you hope that we can make the plays and do the things we need to do, and I thought the girls did just that,” Sinn said.

Ring, who led St. Thomas with 16 points, said she was confident at the line during crunch time for her team.

“I needed to make those to make it a two-possession game,” Ring said.

St. Thomas also held Concordia scoreless for nearly eight minutes in the second half. Sinn said her team was fortunate the Cobbers weren’t hitting shots like they did before halftime.

“In the first half, they shot so well,” Sinn said. “I told the girls at halftime that I was so proud of them because they were only down by five and (Concordia) was hitting unbelievable shots.”

Forward Tricia Sorensen opened the game with a jumper to give Concordia the early 2-0 lead. The Cobbers extended their lead to 4-0 until forward Taylor Young got the Tommies on the scoreboard with a mid-range jumper. Young finished with 13 points.

With 14:52 remaining in the first half, Ring gave St. Thomas its first lead of the game at 10-8 after nailing her second 3-pointer. Ring dominated the opening half, tallying 10 points.

“We couldn’t hit much in the first half, so at least I hit those two (3-pointers),” Ring said.

Concordia responded with 3-pointer of its own, retaking the lead at 18-17. After three scoreless minutes, guard Emily Thesing nailed a deep 3-pointer, giving the Cobbers a 23-20 lead with four minutes left in the half. Thesing was the hot shooter in the first half and finished the game with a team-high 16 points.

The Tommies went into halftime down 32-27. Concordia went four-for-eight from the 3-point arc and shot 45 percent from the field while St. Thomas went 36 percent from the field in the opening half.

Thesing opened the second half with a layup, extending Concordia’s lead to 34-27. The score swelled to 43-37 for the Cobbers with 14 minutes remaining, but the Tommie defense turned up the intensity.

While holding Concordia scoreless for seven minutes, Smith nailed a 3-pointer and gave her team its first lead of the half at 47-45 with 7:53 left.

In addition to providing an offensive spark for her team, Smith guarded the physical Concordia post players. While the Cobber post players had caused trouble in regular season games, the Tommie defense prevailed Saturday.

Smith said she’s used to guarding players that have some height on her.

“In high school, I was the tallest girl on my team so I’m used to having to guard the big girls,” Smith said. “I have to be physical and use my speed and athleticism against them to counter their size.”

Guard Kelly Brandenburg extended the Tommie lead to 51-45 with two free throws and a strong left-handed layup. Brandenburg finished with eight points and four steals.

Concordia rallied back with two minutes left. Thesing finally ended the Cobbers’ dry spell with a basket and guard Alley Fisher added a 3-pointer, cutting the Tommies’ lead to 53-50.

A Ring turnover and guard Jenna Dockter’s offensive foul gave the Cobbers some momentum with 48 seconds remaining. However, the Cobbers turned the ball over in the backcourt. Ring controlled the ball and was fouled. At the line for a 1-and-1, she made both free throws.

After Ring’s free throws, Concordia had another costly error: turning ball over on an inbounds pass. Smith secured the ball and was fouled. She made both free throws, extending her team’s lead to 57-50 with 6.2 seconds left.

The Cobbers had a final opportunity to score but faltered. Smith was fouled again and made one of her two free throws, cementing the Tommies’ 58-50 victory.

Smith, who finished with 10 points and nine rebounds, said she couldn’t be more happy with the win.

“It was awesome to win here on (Concordia’s) home court because we lost the last time we were here,” Smith said.

St. Thomas will find out its NCAA opponent Monday during a tournament selection show. Concordia (21-6) and St. Mary’s (22-5) can possibly receive at-large bids.

Sinn said one benefit the Tommies have against NCAA opponents is experience.

“Our team has been there. They know what it’s like to play on the big stage and know what it’s like not to get too nervous and continue to go,” Sinn said.

Ring said her team “needed this win to get the momentum going again.”

“We have girls that want it so bad, and I can’t wait to see what we do,” Ring said.

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