Offense struggles, Toms take first loss of season

More news about: St. Thomas

No. 1-ranked St. Thomas had a season-low scoring night and went 0-for-4 from the floor over the final 1:30 and lost 54-52 to third-place Concordia in Monday's MIAC men's basketball play in Moorhead.

The Tommies (16-1 overall, 11-1 MIAC), who came in averaging 87 points a game, made just 37 percent from the field and only 10-of-18 from the foul line. Their 52 points was the program's lowest total in three seasons covering the last 93 games.

Their conference lead is down to two games over Augsburg and three over the Cobbers.

The Toms had only four turnovers but were outrebounded 36-32 in suffering their first defeat in nine road games this season.

UST rallied from a 49-43 deficit to tie the game 52-52 on Will DeBerg's 3-point basket with 1:50 to play. But the Tommies went scoreless on their final three possessions.

Concordia's Jason Huus made two free throws with 29 seconds left to break the tie. He finished with nine points and 11 rebounds. Andrew Martinson hit three 3-pointers for 11 points off the bench as the Cobbers erased a 37-30 second-half deficit.

Zach Riedeman had 14 points and Will DeBerg scored 10 for St. Thomas.

UST returns home for games this week against St. Mary's (Wednesday) and Hamline (Saturday).