Jenna Dockter scored 18 points and Maggie Weiers chipped in 14 points and a career-high 19 rebounds as No. 6-ranked and top-seeded St. Thomas held off second-seed Bethel, 65-51, in Saturday's MIAC Women's Basketball playoff championship game at Schoenecker Arena.

It's St. Thomas' fifth conference playoff crown in six seasons under Coach Ruth Sinn.

The Tommies (27-0) ended the first half on a 19-4 run and led 33-21 at halftime. UST used a 13-2 run early in the second half to take a 48-25 lead. The Royals (21-6) went 17 minutes on each side of halftime and scored just two field goals.

But Bethel stormed back with a 13-0 run of its own to cut the lead to 10 with 7:22 to play. BU climbed within eight points late, but a 6-0 run but the Tommies over the final 90 seconds closed out the win.

St. Thomas posted a 52-27 rebounding advantage; made 18 of 22 at the foul line in the second half; and recorded a 22-2 advantage in bench points. The latter was led by Elaine Warner (11 points) and Hannah Hughes (eight).

St. Thomas matched its program's best start to a women's basketball season at 27-0, set in 1992. UST has reached the NCAA playoffs for the four year in a row and 21st time in 29 seasons.

Bethel got 21 points from Kalli Zimmerman and 20 points and three blocks from Rachel Parupsky. The Royals will await Monday's NCAA playoff bracket announcement to see if they garner an at-large bid. They won 13 of their last 15 games, with both losses to St. Thomas.