Sophomore Bri Monahan had 18 points and 12 rebounds for the Gusties (12-5 overall, 10-4 MIAC). Senior Lacy Skoog had 10 of her 13 points in the second half and Jess Vadnais made 8-of-8 at the foul line and finished with 11 points.
Junior Vel Williams had 11 points, four assists, four rebounds and four steals for the Tommies (7-10, 5-8).
St. Thomas trailed 23-15 at halftime but took a 45-43 lead on Melissa Gotchnik’s layup with 5:44 to go. But UST went 5:00 without a field goal. The Gusties tied the game at 45-45 on a basket by Kristin Kachelmyer, then went ahead to stay at 47-45 on a layup by Skoog with 3:54 to play.
The Gusties survived 20 turnovers and 35% shooting as they made 20-of-27 at the foul line. UST made 8-of-14 at the line and shot 34%, including 0-for-10 from 3-point range.
St. Thomas plays at home Wednesday vs. Augsburg.