In a thrilling display of basketball on Wednesday night, St. Thomas narrowly defeated South Dakota State with a score of 73-72, thanks in part to a last-minute free throw by Drake Dobbs. Nolan Minessale shone brightly, contributing 17 points during the matchup.

Minessale showcased impressive shooting skills, finishing the game 7 for 12 from the field and hitting 1 out of 4 attempts from three-point range for the Tommies, who improved to 13-5 overall and 3-0 in the Summit League. Dobbs supported the effort with 12 points, alongside five assists, while Kendall Blue also made his mark by scoring 10 points on 3 for 5 shooting, including 2 for 3 from beyond the arc.

On the other side of the court, the Jackrabbits, now holding a 10-7 record and 1-1 in the league, were led by Kalen Garry, who scored 19 points. Oscar Cluff had a significant impact on the game’s outcome, recording a double-double with 13 points, 19 rebounds, and seven assists. Joe Sayler added to their scoring efforts with 12 points and four assists.

Minessale and his teammates faced an uphill battle in the first half, ending it with a 40-36 deficit. However, in the second half, Dobbs emerged as a key player, scoring a total of 10 points, including the decisive free throw that sealed their victory in the closing moments of the game.

Looking ahead, both St. Thomas and South Dakota State will be back on the court this Saturday. St. Thomas will play host to South Dakota, while South Dakota State will be on the road facing Omaha.