In a compelling matchup on January 27, 2024, the St. Thomas Tommies triumphed over the South Dakota Coyotes with a score of 90-78. The victory marked a season sweep for St. Thomas, solidifying their position in the Summit League standings.
Nick Janowski led the Tommies with an impressive performance, scoring 23 points on 8-for-13 shooting, while also contributing five rebounds. His efforts were part of a well-rounded team display, as all eight St. Thomas players who participated scored at least eight points. The Tommies shot 30-for-56 from the field, including 10-for-24 from three-point range.
South Dakota, now with a record of 11-11 and 3-4 in the Summit League, saw Jordan Crawford lead their scoring with 22 points. Despite this, many of his teammates struggled, as the Coyotes managed only 7-for-21 from beyond the arc.
St. Thomas faced an early challenge as South Dakota surged to a nine-point lead in the first half and held a two-point advantage at halftime. However, the dynamics shifted dramatically in the second half when St. Thomas unleashed a decisive 16-2 run. This momentum shift was highlighted by a three-pointer from Janowski, elevating the Tommies’ lead to 16 points with just six minutes remaining.
The Tommies also excelled on the boards, dominating the rebounding battle with a final tally of 38-25. Austin Herro was a key contributor in this department, securing nine rebounds for St. Thomas.
With this victory, the Tommies improve their overall record to 17-5 and maintain a strong 6-1 standing in the Summit League, closely trailing behind North Dakota State. Their next challenge will be on Thursday, when they host North Dakota in St. Paul.
This win not only reflects the team’s current form but also underscores their potential as they aim for a strong finish this season.
