Tommie men win home finale in MIAC era

Junior guard Anders Nelson finished with 28 points, nine assists and six rebounds to lead No. 5-ranked St. Thomas to an 84-66 win over Bethel in an MIAC men's basketball play Saturday afternoon in Schoenecker Arena.

The Tommies (6-0 overall, 4-0 MIAC) were playing their final home game of the Division III and MIAC era, and closed that with an eight-game home winning streak.

They will finish the entire D-III chapter and close out this condensed season on Sunday March 7 on the road with a 2 p.m. game at Gustavus.

Coach Johnny Tauer's Toms tied a school record as they recorded only two turnovers. They also made 12 treys and shot 52 percent from the floor.

Nelson scored 19 of his 28 points in the second half, including 3-of-4 made from behind the arc. Junior Riley Miller added 18 points; junior Parker Bjorklund closed with 13 points and 10 boards; senior Burt Hedstrom scored 10; and senior Nick Christenson added seven points off the bench.

Bethel (3-5) trailed 40-30 at halftime and pulled within 52-47 early in the second half. But Christenson's layup capped a 16-3 Tommie run to push the lead back to 18 with 8:01 to go.

Jaren Tschetter led BU with 16 points. The Royals had only seven turnovers and made 11 baskets from 3-point range.

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