Senior center Ryan Saarela had 15 points, eight rebounds and three blocks and the host Tommies built a 29-point first-half lead in Wednesday night's 87-72 win over Gustavus at Schoenecker Arena.

St. Thomas (18-1 overall, 13-1 MIAC) ran its winning streak to 14 and secured a conference playoff spot for the 17th consecutive season. UST maintained its 3.5-game lead atop the MIAC standings with six games to go.

St. Thomas had six players score in double figures, and shot 57 percent from the floor. Taylor Montero scored 16 points; Cortez Tillman had nine of his 13 points in the second half; Grant Shaeffer had 12 points and five assists. Jimmy Remke had 13 points off the bench; and Ryan Boll added 12 points.

ST used a 34-6 run to build a 42-13 lead with 4:06 to go before halftime.

The Gusties (9-11, 6-9) made 18-of-26 second half shots (69 percent) with only four turnovers to trim a 22-point halftime deficit to 11 points with 6:01 to play. UST answered with a 13-5 run to pull away.

Riley Sharbano had 14 of his game-high 18 points in the second half for the Gusties.