Senior guard Lucia Renikoff’s 22 points led No. 2 St. Thomas to an 85-54 victory over No. 11 Wartburg College in the NCAA Elite Eight Saturday at Schoenecker Arena.
The Tommies (30-1) punched their ticket to the 2019 NCAA Final Four with a win over the Knights (27-4). This is the second time in the past three years that the Tommies will compete for a chance to win the national championship.
“When you get into tournament atmosphere like that especially going to the Final Four, it’s an electric feeling,” coach Ruth Sinn said. “We’re really excited to have another week together.”
Renikoff scored five 3-point shots, reaching 200 career 3-pointers in the process.
“It’s a result of my teammates getting in the ball, not doing it all myself,” Renikoff said. “ That’s exciting, but (I’m) more excited about getting another opportunity in the Final Four.”
The Tommies tied the school record with successful 3-point baskets, scoring 16 in total on the night.
“It definitely was an advantage that we thought we could capitalize with (3-point shots),” Sinn said.
Center Hannah Spaulding recorded a first half double-double for the second straight night, showing her value on both ends of the court for the Tommies.
“Our teammates put us in such a good position to get the ball,” Spaulding said. “We have so many weapons that they can’t just focus on one of us.”
This was the second matchup between the two teams this season after the Knights handed the Tommies a 60-40 loss on Dec. 30. That game was the Tommies’ only loss of the season.
The Tommies, who won their last national championship in 1991, will now face No. 3 Bowdoin College in the NCAA Division III Final Four on March 15 in Salem, Virginia.
Justin Amaker can be reached at justin.amaker@stthomas.edu.
Jacob Schneider can be reached at schn6923@stthomas.edu.