Senior Tyler Nicolai scored 13 of his game-best 20 points in UST's game-closing 23-10 run over the last 9:30 as the No. 8-ranked Tommies (16-1 overall, 11-1 MIAC) held off the Auggies (11-6, 6-6), 82-66, in Wednesday night's men's basketball conference game at Schoenecker Arena.
Nicolai scored 17 of his 20 points in the second half and added six assists. Anders Halvorsen added 12 points; Tommy Hannon had 11 points, five rebounds and four assists; Teddy Archer had 10 points and four assists; and Peter Leslie had eight points.
UST shot 51 percent from the floor and had only eight turnovers as it improved to 7-0 at home this season. The Toms maintained a one-game lead on second-place Carleton and picked up a game on third place Gustavus.
Augsburg made 11 of its first 17 attempts from 3-point range and trailed just 59-56 before the Toms pulled away down the stretch. The Auggies shot 50 perecnt from the floor but missed their last four 3-point tries.
The Augsburg sank two 3-pointers in the game's first 50 seconds and made 7-of-9 in the first half as they trailed just 37-34 at halftime.
Ben Flavin scored 18, inlcuding four treys, and Tyler Schmidt knocked down all five treys he attempted for 15 points.
St. Thomas is home Saturday to face Bethel.
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