Senior forward Taylor Montero scored 12 of his 16 points in the second half and became the 34th Tommie in program history to surpass 1,000 career points as No. 7-ranked St. Thomas held off second-place St. Olaf 78-72 in Wednesday's MIAC men's basketball clash in Northfield.

The Tommies (22-2 overall, 17-2 MIAC) had already clinched the conference crown and top seed for the six-team Feb. 24-28 playoffs and learned earlier in the day it remains ranked first in the West Region in the NCAA poll. 

Coach John Tauer's team improved to 14-1 this season away from home, thanks in part to its made 8-of-8 clip at the foul line in the final 2:06.

The Toms led 33-27 at halftime and built the cushion to 12 early in the second half. The Oles pulled within 74-70 on Riley Aiekens' trey with 19 seconds to go, but Cortez Tillman and Ryan Saarela each knocked down two free throws in the final 17 seconds.

Montero added seven rebounds and four assists and now has 1,009 points. Tillman scored 16 points, Grant Shaeffer had 15 points, and Saarela contributed 14 points and seven boards.

Justin Pahl and Ben Figini each scored 19 points in their regular-season finale for the Oles (17-8, 14-6). St. Olaf still secured a first-round playoff bye and No. 2 seed for next week's playoffs.

St. Thomas is home Saturday to face St. Mary's (1 p.m.) for Senior Day. They will play a conference semifinal playoff game Friday Feb. 26, also at Schoenecker Arena.