The No. 2-ranked St. Thomas women’s basketball team earned an automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Tournament by defeating No. 13-ranked Gustavus Adolphus 66-49 in the MIAC tournament title game Sunday at Schoenecker Arena.
The Tommies handed Gustavus its only two losses of the season. Center Kaitlin Langer said the team came ready to play and started strong.
“I think the way we came out in the beginning of the game showed how ready we were, and how ready we are for this time of year and the tournament and the whole March Madness of it all,” Langer said.
This victory marked the sixth consecutive conference playoff championship for the women.
Coach Ruth Sinn credited the win to an incredible defensive effort.
“The cornerstone of it all would be our defense. I thought our defense really locked them out,” Sinn said. “(We) did a really great job shutting down the lane and making sure they had to earn for their points.”
The all-American Langer also dominated offensively, totalling 29 points and nine boards. Langer had matched her career high of 32 points earlier this season in St. Peter.
“She’s Player of the Year. She is D3 National Player of the Year. She’s the epitome of what this program is about,” Sinn said. “She really makes a difference.”
St. Thomas (27-0) opened up the game with a 6-0 run and led comfortably by the end of the first quarter. Langer scored a layup on an assist by Paige Gernes to put the Tommies on the board. The women swung the momentum in their favor on back-to-back steals both of which ended in points for the Tommies.
Sinn said her team played with balance and poise.
“I knew it was going to be a great game,” Sinn said. “That first quarter, I don’t know if you can get better. It was pretty flawless.”
Justine Lee scored the Gusties’ (25-2) first basket 2:25 into the game.
The Gusties gained momentum and fought back late in the third period cutting their deficit down to four with 3:15 remaining, but that was the closest the Gusties came to the title. But with seconds left on the third-quarter clock, guard Kaylie Brazil spotted Langer in the lane, who found the net as the buzzer sounded, stretching the lead to nine.
The Tommies strengthened their lead and sealed the MIAC Tournament title in the final quarter, allowing only eight more Gustie points. Gustavus guard Mikayla Miller and forward Hannah Howard fouled out with under two minutes remaining in the matchup. The team ended the game with 24 fouls compared to St. Thomas’s 14.
As the Tommies prepare for March, Sinn said the team’s best basketball is yet to come.
St. Thomas will learn its NCAA Tournament fate Monday.
“I think we are so excited to get ready for the tournament. We couldn’t be happier with our journey so far and we are really excited to start with selection Monday tomorrow,” Langer said.
Carolyn Meyer can be reached at cameyer@stthomas.edu.