ST. PAUL, Minn. – For the second game in a row, the Macalester College men's basketball team faced a team ranked in the Top 10 of Division III, losing 80-59 to No. 9 St. Thomas Wednesday evening in the Leonard Center. The Scots, who fell to No. 2 Saint John's on Monday, are now 5-12 on the season, including a 2-10 record in the conference. The Tommies improve to 15-2, 11-1 MIAC.
Macalester went toe-to-toe with St. Thomas early, using a 7-0 run capped by a three-pointer from junior guard
Gabriel Ramos (Dorado, Puerto Rico/Tasis Dorado) to lead 17-12 with 11:15 left in the first half. The Tommies, who beat the Scots earlier this season in the first meeting, heated up and closed out the half on a 25-10 run to take a 37-27 halftime advantage. Macalester held St. Thomas to just three three-pointers in the first half, but the visitors shot 47.1 percent from the field overall compared to 42.3 percent for the Scots.
The Tommies gradually increased their lead to 56-38 before sophomore guard
Eric Sathy (Cupertino, Calif./Homestead) made back-to-back baskets to make the score 56-42 with 10 minutes to play. St. Thomas responded with a 20-7 run for a 76-49 lead, and Macalester never came closer than 19 points the rest of the way. The Scots held a 37-34 rebounding edge and blocked four shots, but the Tommies scored 19 points off of 17 Macalester turnovers, including 10 miscues in the second half.
Ramos scored 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while junior guard
Tyler McFarland (Denver, Colo./New Hampton School) tallied 10 points and seven boards. Junior forward
Jackson Henningfield (Lake Mary, Fla./Lyman) led all players with nine rebounds but was held to six points. It is the first time Henningfield failed to score in double figures since Jan. 7, 2019, a span of 28 games. Sophomore center
Shane Anderson (Fargo, N.D./Davies) had three blocks for the second straight game. He also had six points, six rebounds and five assists. Riley Miller paced St. Thomas with 17 points.
The Scots will regroup for another MIAC contest on Saturday, Jan. 25 against Gustavus. Game time is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. in the Leonard Center.
