Senior center Conner Nord matched his career high with 21 points and the No. 6-ranked Tommies shot 53 percent from the field and had just eight turnovers in Saturday's 74-69 MIAC men's basketball victory over Carleton in Northfield.

St. Thomas (9-1 overall, 4-1 MIAC) moved into a share of the conference lead with St. Olaf as the Oles handed Gustavus its first MIAC loss.

The Tommies survived a shaky 5-of-17 day at the foul line as it pushed its season win streak to five.

Carleton (3-6, 1-4) shot 57 percent from the floor but was hurt by 22 turnovers. Those led to an 18-8 UST advantage in points off turnovers.

Grant Shaeffer had 13 points and four assists; Ryan Saarela added eight points and nine rebounds; Marcus Alipate had 10 points; and Cortez Tillman and Taylor Montero each contributed seven points.

The Tommies trailed by seven early but later used Tillman's layup at the buzzer to take a 32-30 halftime lead. The Knights never led thereafter, although they pulled within 53-52 with 7:05 to play on Kevin Grow's three-point play. UST countered with a 15-8 run to push the lead back to eight.

St. Thomas is home Wednesday to play Macalester (7 p.m.).