Men's Hoops gets overtime win over Eagles

W, 94-87 (1 OT)
UW-LaCrosse (M), December 20, 2008

Sophomore guard Tyler Nicolai scored five of his season-high 22 points during an 11-3 run to start overtime as the No. 4-ranked Tommies (8-0) scored a 94-87 victory over UW-LaCrosse (4-5) in Saturday’s non-conference men’s basketball play at UST’s Schoenecker Arena.

St. Thomas, coming off final-exam week and a 10-day layoff from games, had a 34-25 edge in rebounds, shot 53% from the field and had just three turnovers in the second half and overtime.

Coach Steve Fritz is 8-0 for the first time since 1994-95, with all eight wins this season against NCAA West Region teams.

The lively game featured 17 lead changes and 13 ties. UST won the opening tap of overtime, then outscored the Eagles 15-8 in the extra session.

The Tommies had a 25-13 edge in bench scoring and sank 23-of-30 free throws. They have won 17 of their last 18 home games and improved to 6-1 in overtime games over the last three seasons.

The Toms trailed by eight in the first half and still trailed 41-38 at halftime, but a second-half run built an eight-point lead at 68-60. The Eagles answered with a 10-0 run for a 70-68 lead and it was tight thereafter.

B.J. Viau made both ends of a one-and-one situation with 28 seconds left in regulation to put UST ahead 79-77. The Eagles missed a potential tying shot in the final seconds, but center Andy Merklein’s tip-in with :01 left tied the game 79-79 and forced overtime.

LaCrosse shot 54% on the game (30-of-56) and made 10-of-19 from 3-point range. But the Eagles had just one field goal in overtime while UST was 4-for-7 from the field and 6-for-6 at the line. LaCrosse's Tony Mane hit four treys and scored a game-high 24 points with six assists, including 8-of-8 from the foul line. Trevor Stratton also made four threes and closed with 20 points.

Nicolai, who had six rebounds, made 9-of-12 from the field, including 4-of-7 from 3-point range. Lonnie Robinson had 14 points and six assists; Joe Scott had 13 points; Viau had 12 points, seven rebounds and three blocks; and Al McCoy had eight points and three assists. Off the bench, Anders Halverson scored eight and Josh Peltier added seven points, and guard Brett Tuma had five rebounds (three offensive).

LaCrosse has two losses and one win vs. top-10 ranked Division III teams thus far this season. They lost by 13 earlier to Elmhurst (Ill.), which today knocked off No. 1-ranked Washington (Mo.) 82-75.

The Tommies return to action Dec. 30 at Concordia-St. Paul, then resume MIAC play Jan. 3 against Macalester.

To view more Greg Smith sction photos, click here:

www.gsmithsports.com

Click here for box score:

http://www.tommiesports.com/mbb/stats/12-20mbb.htm

B.J. Viau had six points in the game's last 5:30. (Greg Smith photo)

Joe Scott had four overtime points. (Greg Smith photo)

Teddy Archer splits the LaCrosse defense. (Greg Smith photo)

Tyler Nicolai sank 9-of-12 shots to fuel the victory. (Greg Smith photo)

Al McCoy shoots for two. (Greg Smith photo)