St. Thomas (FL) Cruises Past South Dakota 90-78

St. Thomas (FL) delivered a dominant performance on the road, defeating South Dakota 90-78 at the Sanford Coyote Sports Center. The Tommies' high-powered offense proved too much for the Coyotes to handle, as they pulled away in the second half to secure the 12-point victory. CHD Scout's pre-game prediction had St. Thomas (FL) winning by 6.5 points, and while the margin was larger than expected, the predicted winner was spot on.

The game got off to a competitive start, with South Dakota taking a 39-37 lead into halftime. Jordan Crawford led the charge for the Coyotes, scoring 22 points on the night, including several key baskets in the first half to keep his team ahead. However, St. Thomas (FL) adjusted its strategy in the second half, coming out with renewed energy and focus. The Tommies' offense exploded for 53 points in the final 20 minutes, with Nick Janowski taking center stage. The standout performer poured in 23 points and grabbed 5 rebounds, leading his team to the convincing win.

Janowski's performance was complemented by solid contributions from his teammates, including Ryan Dufault and Isaiah Johnson-Arigu, who chipped in with 13 and 11 points, respectively. The Tommies' balanced attack and strong team defense allowed them to build a comfortable lead, which they maintained throughout the second half. South Dakota, on the other hand, struggled to keep pace, despite Crawford's valiant efforts and supporting performances from Uzziah Buntyn and Ethan Kizer, who added 13 and 11 points, respectively.

The victory marks another impressive win for St. Thomas (FL), which improves to 17-5 on the season. While the result was not an upset, given the Tommies' higher net ranking, it is a significant win in terms of resume building. This game was classified as a Quadrant 4 contest for St. Thomas (FL), but the convincing nature of the win will still be viewed favorably by the selection committee. For South Dakota, the loss drops them to 11-11, and while it was a Quadrant 3 game, the Coyotes must regroup and focus on their upcoming schedule to bolster their tournament chances.

As the season enters its critical stretch, St. Thomas (FL) is solidifying its position as a potential tournament contender. With a strong net ranking of 115, the Tommies are well-positioned to make a push for a postseason berth. This win will only add to their momentum, and with continued performances like Janowski's, they will be a team to watch in the coming weeks. Conversely, South Dakota faces an uphill battle, but with key players like Crawford leading the charge, they still have time to turn their season around and make a late push for tournament consideration.