The No. 8 ranked Tommie men's basketball team used a 56-3 advantage in bench points to pull away from host Macalester, 88-40, in Wednesday night's MIAC game on the Scots' floor. It was the conference opener for both teams.

St. Thomas (4-0 overall, 1-0 MIAC) hit nine threes, shot 58 percent from the field and scored 49 second-half points. All 15 players on the bench for UST scored points. 

The Toms, who led 39-22 at halftime, converted just 7-of-19 at the foul line but helped force 26 Mac turnovers and built a 38-21 rebounding edge.

Will DeBerg led a balanced Tommie attack with 15 points and three steals; Dylan Stewart added 13 points; and Josh Pella had 10 points.

Pierce Peters had 15 points and six boards for Mac (3-2, 0-1).

St. Thomas plays Saturday at Hamline (3 p.m.).