Junior guard Cortez Tillman scored 14 points off the bench, including two 3-point baskets in the final 2:15, to help No. 6-ranked St. Thomas hold off No. 20-rated UW-Stevens Point, 68-66, in Saturday night's lively non-conference men's basketball game at Schoenecker Arena.
The Pointers (7-3) shot 60 percent from the floor, made eight treys, converted 8-of-10 at the line and had just four turnovers, but still saw its four-game winning streak halted.
The host Tommies (8-1) had only two turnovers, both in the first half, made 13-of-13 at the line, and managed a 23-18 rebounding advantage. That led to UST's 14-5 margin in second-chance points.
UST's top six players, who each has a scoring average in double figures, combined for 63 points, 21 rebounds, 16 assists and no turnovers.
Stevens Point had the ball under its basket with 10 seconds left and down two. Stephen Pelkofer, who had already sank five 3-pointers, missed a go-ahead trey attempt from the corner. UST's Ryan Saarela won the scramble for the rebound as the clock expired and the Toms pushed their win streak to four games.
Marcus Alipate had 13 points; Taylor Montero had 12 points and six rebounds; Saarela had 12 points and seven rebounds; and Grant Shaeffer had eight points and seven assists. In the final final 20 minutes, Saarela contributed four offensive boards and 10 of his 12 points.
St. Thomas trailed by 12 midway through the first half and was still down 36-32 at halftime. The second half featured six ties and 11 lead changes. UST erased the final Point lead on Saarela's layin with 3:19 left for a 62-61 lead.
Tillman rebounded a missed Point shot and later sank a 3-pointer for a 65-61 lead. Point's Pelkofer drained a 3-pointer with 1:59 left to trim the score to 65-64. But Tillman's off-balance 3-pointer with 1:45 to go was all net and pushed the Tommie lead to 68-64.
Alex Richard sank two free throws with 1:01 to go for the Pointers. UST ran down the clock and missed a shot with 30 seconds left.
Point rebounded, worked up court and drew a foul with 10 seconds to go, but neither team was in the bonus. After a time out and an inbounds pass, Pelkofer's trey try stayed out and UST held on.
It was the fifth comeback victory of the season for St. Thomas, which is back in action Jan. 3 at Carleton.
Point's three losses have come by a combined 10 points, including a 70-69 defeat on the road at St. Olaf and this 68-66 decision at St. Thomas.