Sophomore guard Anders Nelson scored 33 points on 12-of-13 shooting to lead No. 4-ranked Tommie Men's Basketball to Wednesday's 85-68 win in MIAC play at Schoenecker Arena.

St. Thomas (18-2 overall, 14-1 MIAC) remained 1.5 games behind leader St. John's with five games left in the conference regular season. The Purple have a three-game lead on Bethel and Augsburg in the potential race for a first-round playoff bye.

Nelson sank 5-of-6 from 3-point range and added three steals and three assists. Teammate Burt Hedstrom added 12 points, and Elijah Hannah scored 10. Riley Miller added seven assists. The Tommies shot 61 percent on the night (31-of-51).

Michael Dillon led the Pipers (5-16, 3-13) with 17 points, including a 5-for-5 night behind the arc. Luke Siwek added 15 points, five rebounds and three assists. Hamline shot 51 percent on the game (24-of-47).

Hamline's last lead came at 26-25 but the Toms closed the first half on an 17-6 run and led 42-32 at the break. The Pipers didn't get closer than six in the second half.

The Toms are home Saturday to face Concordia-Moorhead.