Guard Lucia Reinkoff fires a three over Gusties’ guard Justine Lee. Reinkoff lead the Tommies with a game high 18 points in the Tommies 64-39 MIAC semifinal playoff victory over the Gusties Thursday. (Matthew Curry/tommiemedia)
Senior guard Lucia Renikoff lead the The No. 3 St. Thomas women’s basketball team to defeat Gustavus Adolphus College 64-39 in MIAC semifinal playoff action Thursday at Schoenecker Arena.
The Tommies (25-1 overall, 19-0 MIAC) used strong defensive play to fend off the improved Gusties (15-12, 11-8 MIAC) and advance to the MIAC championship.
“This is a different team,” coach Ruth Sinn said. “They do a really good job with what they want to do, and they also used different players, which gave them variation. We knew they would come in here and be this tough.”
Both teams struggled early offensively. After the first quarter, the Tommies lead 13-12, and both teams were a combined 31 percent from the field.
After a Sinn timeout near the end of the second quarter,, the Tommies caught fire. A big three pointer from Renikoff, who finished with a game high 18 points, started a 17-1 Tommie run that extended into the second half. The Tommies never gave up the lead.
“We definitely struggled in the first quarter,” Renikoff said. “It just takes one or two plays. The momentum really pushed us into the second half.”
The second half was dominated by the Tommies, outscoring the Gusties 41-19.
“For the second half, we increased the tempo of the game and moved the ball a little better,” Sinn said.
The Tommies defense was once again impressive. The Gusties were 28 points under their season average of 67, and shot a lowly 25.8 percent from the field. The Tommies also forced 15 turnovers.
“Our defense picked it up in the second half,” said senior forward Kaia Porter. “We emphasize all five on the court. We are all looking out for each other.” 
Guard Kaia Porter fires a three over Gusties’ defenders. Porter tallied 15 points in the Tommies 64-39 victory over the Gusties in the MIAC semifinal game Thursday. (Matthew Curry/tommiemedia)
The Tommies will look to take the MIAC championship for the second consecutive year, Saturday at 3 p.m.
Alex Panos can be reached at pana8391@stthomas.edu.