St. Thomas (FL) delivered a resounding 99-64 victory over Missouri-Kansas City at the Lee & Penny Anderson Arena, with Carter Bjerke's 30 points steering the Tommies to a dominant performance. The win marked a significant margin of victory, far exceeding the predicted 16.7-point difference, as St. Thomas (FL) imposed their will from the outset.
At halftime, St. Thomas (FL) held a commanding 52-25 lead, with Bjerke already having scored 20 points. The Tommies' offense was virtually unstoppable, with Bjerke's teammates Nick Janowski and Nolan Minessale providing valuable support, scoring 16 and 10 points, respectively. Kansas City, on the other hand, struggled to find their footing, with CJ Evans' 16 points and 7 rebounds being a rare bright spot for the Roos.
As the game unfolded, it became clear that St. Thomas (FL) was determined to make a statement. The Tommies' 52-point first half set the tone, and despite Kansas City's improved performance in the second half, scoring 39 points, the deficit proved insurmountable. Evans, Kansas City's top performer, was joined by Addarin Scott and Karmello Branch, who scored 12 and 11 points, respectively, but their efforts were not enough to overcome the Tommies' onslaught.
CHD Scout Report Card
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Final
CHD Scout's pre-game prediction had St. Thomas (FL) winning by 16.7 points, and while the Tommies did emerge victorious, the actual margin of 35 points far exceeded expectations. The decisive nature of the win underscores St. Thomas (FL)'s strength, particularly with Bjerke at the helm. His 30-point outing was a reflection of his skill and ability to take over games.
This result has real consequences for both teams' tournament resumes. For St. Thomas (FL), the win, although expected, is still a valuable addition to their portfolio, classified as a Quadrant 4 victory. With a current net ranking of 127, the Tommies want to build on this momentum to bolster their tournament chances. On the other hand, Kansas City, with a net ranking of 349, faces an uphill battle, and this loss, categorized as a Quadrant 2 game for the Roos, does little to alleviate their struggles. As the season progresses, St. Thomas (FL) will aim to leverage performances like this to strengthen their case for a postseason berth, while Kansas City must regroup and seek opportunities to revive their fading tournament hopes.