Senior guard Marcus Alipate sank a career-best seven 3-pointers in a 21-point scoring night as No. 2-ranked St. Thomas scored a 79-57 road win Wednesday night in men's basketball action in Winona.

Taylor Montero was 5-for-6 beyond the arc and closed with a career-high 23 points for the Tommies (18-1 overall, 13-1 MIAC), who clinched a conference playoff berth for the 15th consecutive season.

UST maintained a two-game lead on second-place St. Olaf with six games left in the conference season. The Toms also improved to 9-1 in road games this season.

The Division III leader in 3-point proficiency, St. Thomas sank 14 of its 3-point tries to tie a season high and close 14-of-29 from beyind the arc.

The Toms used a 19-2 mid-game run to break open a close game.

Mark Schumacher had 15 points and six rebounds for the Cardinals (4-15, 1-13).

Senior Conner Nord had 12 points and eight rebounds for UST as he closed in on 1,000 points and 700 rebounds. The Tommie starters outscored SMU's starters 66-35.

St. Thomas plays four of its last six games at home starting Saturday against Carleton (3 p.m.).