Junior forward John Nance scored a season-high 19 points, including the deciding 14-foot jumper with five seconds left, to lift the visiting Tommies (11-4 overall, 8-2 MIAC) to a thrilling 78-77 win over the Oles (7-8, 6-4) in Wednesday night's MIAC men's basketball clash in Northfield.

St. Olaf built an early 12-point lead but a 13-2 Tommie run led to a 39-39 tie at halftime. In the second half, there were seven ties, and neither team led by more than four points.

The No. 20-ranked Tommies missed a tying free throw with 23 seconds to go. After a time out, the Toms forced a turnover to regain possession with 16 seconds remaining. After another timeout, Nance faked a drive then pulled up and swished the go-ahead jumper.

After a St. Olaf time out with :02.9 to play, the host team missed a desperation shot at the buzzer.

UST shot 58% from the field and had only 10 turnovers in rebounding from Monday's one-point buzzer-beater home loss to Bethel. The Toms kept pace with fellow MIAC co-leaders Gustavus and Augsburg and continued a three-way tie among that trio atop the MIAC standings at the season's halfway point.

Zach Riedeman scored 17 points to help UST post a 27-16 edge in bench scoring. Conner Nord has 12 points and Noah Kaiser chipped in 11.

St. Olaf was led by Sterling Nielson's 19 points. Stu Neville had 15 points and surpassed 1,000 career points. Alfred Jaryan added nine points and nine assists.

The Tommies play Saturday at St. Mary's.

Click here for box score:

http://www.stolaf.edu/athletics/basketball/men/media/2011-12/box/sto-ust2.htm