SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — St. Thomas emerged victorious over North Dakota with an 85-69 win on Saturday night during the Summit League Tournament semifinals. Leading the charge for the Tommies was Kendall Blue, who secured 21 points and contributed three steals to the team’s triumph.
Drake Dobbs also showcased his skills for the Tommies (24-9), scoring 15 points while maintaining a perfect five-for-five shooting record and achieving a three-for-three success at the free-throw line. He added to his performance with five assists. Meanwhile, Carter Bjerke chipped in 15 points, successfully making six of his 11 attempts from the field, including half of his shots from beyond the arc.
Looking ahead, St. Thomas will face Omaha in the tournament’s championship game on Sunday. However, the Mavericks have already secured the Summit League’s automatic spot in the NCAA Tournament after clinching the regular season conference title. St. Thomas is currently in its final year of ineligibility for postseason play after making an unusual jump from Division III.
For the Fightin’ Hawks (12-21), Eli King was a standout player, recording 15 points and pulling down eight rebounds. North Dakota also benefited from Mier Panoam’s effort, as he contributed 15 points, eight rebounds, and two steals. Amar Kuljuhovic made his presence felt with 13 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
St. Thomas strengthened their lead in the second half with a decisive 10-0 run, expanding a seven-point advantage to 17 points. In total, the Tommies outperformed North Dakota by 16 points in the last half, with Blue leading the effort by scoring a team-high 11 second-half points.
