Sophomore guard Grant Shaeffer scored a game-high 22 points and helped the No. 6-ranked Tommies (4-0) use an 18-9 game-closing run in the final 7:00 for a 70-69 home win over the Falcons (3-1) in non-conference men's basketball at Schoenecker Arena.

St. Thomas has won of nine of its last 10 meetings with River Falls but six of those nine victories have come by five or less points.

The Falcons shot 72 percent in the first half but trailed 35-30 at halftime. River Falls opened the second half with a 19-6 run and still led 60-52 with 5:51 to play.

UST answered with a 10-2 run, started by Taylor Montero's 3-point basket and capped by Marcus Alipate's 3-pointer with 2:54 to play. Grant Erickson's layup gave the Falcones their last lead at 64-62.

Shaeffer had six points during an 8-2 run down the stretch, including two free throws in a one-and-one situation with 16 seconds to go that put the Tommies ahead 70-66.

Erickson's 3-pointer with :04.7 to play and a time out kept River Falls alive. Shaeffer was fouled and missed two free throws, and the Falcons got a rebound and a time out with :01.4 left. Their long upcourt pass sailed out of bounds, though. They fouled UST on the inbounds play and Alipate missed two free throws, with the Falcons getting the ball out of bounds with :00.4 on the clock. A desperation heave near the foul line was tipped away at the buzzer.

Shaeffer, who scored 14 of his points in the second half, added four assists and four rebounds. UST junior Ryan Saarela had a season-high 14 points and added four rebounds and three steals. Conner Nord had 12 points and four boards, and Montero scored 11 points.

River Falls shot 61 percent on the game and had a 30-20 rebounding edge but committed 21 turnovers. UST had only eight turnovers, shot 48 percent from the floor but made just 8-of-17 at the foul line.