ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Interstat) — Saint Thomas (Minn.) built a commanding 21-point halftime lead and never looked back in an 80-59 men’s basketball victory over UNC Asheville on Saturday at Kimmel Arena. The Tommies, who led 46-25 at halftime, improved to 9-4. The Bulldogs fell to 4-7 before a crowd of 723. Justin Wright led UNC Asheville with 11 points. Myles Mayfield added eight rebounds for the Bulldogs. Saint Thomas controlled the game from the outset, holding UNC Asheville to a season-low first-half output. The Tommies’ defense stifled the Bulldogs, whose 59 points were a season low. The result defied a pregame projection that slightly favored UNC Asheville.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Interstat) — Nolan Minessale scored 23 points and Saint Thomas (Minn.) used a dominant first half to cruise past UNC Asheville 80-59 in a nonconference men’s basketball game Saturday at Kimmel Arena. The Tommies (9-4) seized control with a 21-2 run early in the first half and led by as many as 24 points before halftime, taking a 46-25 advantage into the break. The Bulldogs (4-7), projected as slight favorites by advanced metrics, never recovered from the initial onslaught and trailed by double digits for the final 32 minutes of the game. The most important part of the game was the opening stretch, where Saint Thomas established its superiority on both ends of the floor. After UNC Asheville’s Kameron Taylor split a pair of free throws for the game’s first points, the Tommies unleashed a decisive 21-2 surge over the next five minutes. The run was fueled by stifling defense and efficient offense. Saint Thomas forced four early turnovers, converting them into easy baskets, while also connecting on three 3-pointers during the burst. Austin Herro and Carter Bjerke each hit a three, and a driving layup by Herro capped the run, giving the Tommies a 21-3 lead with just over 15 minutes remaining in the half. The Bulldogs went nearly six minutes without a field goal during this stretch, and the early deficit proved insurmountable. Minessale, a 6-foot-5 guard from Brookfield, Wisconsin, led all scorers. He added four assists, three rebounds and a block in 28 minutes, continuing a streak of strong performances. Over his last three games, Minessale has averaged 25 points per contest. He was supported by a balanced Tommie attack. Nick Janowski scored 16 points, while Carter Bjerke added 12, all from beyond the arc on 4-of-8 shooting. Austin Herro filled the stat sheet with nine points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals. Isaiah Johnson-Arigu also contributed nine points and seven rebounds. The Tommies won with a combination of sharp shooting and disruptive defense. They shot 50.9% from the field and hit 9 of 18 from 3-point range. Defensively, they harassed the Bulldogs into 14 turnovers while committing only eight themselves. Saint Thomas recorded 11 steals, led by Herro’s three, and converted those UNC Asheville mistakes into 20 points. The Tommies also shared the ball effectively, tallying 11 assists compared to just two for the Bulldogs. Kameron Taylor led UNC Asheville with 22 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Justin Wright scored 11 points, and Myles Mayfield grabbed eight rebounds to go with seven points. The Bulldogs shot 43.4% from the field but struggled from deep, making only 5 of 17 3-point attempts. Their offensive rating of 90.5 points per 100 possessions paled in comparison to Saint Thomas’s mark of 120.5. Saint Thomas built its large halftime lead by shooting 57.1% in the opening period while holding UNC Asheville to 34.5% shooting. The Bulldogs showed more life after halftime, matching the Tommies with 34 second-half points, but never cut the deficit below 17 points in the final frame. A late 3-pointer by Saint Thomas reserve Tommy Humphries provided the final margin. The game drew an announced crowd of 723. The total score of 139 points fell well under the over/under line of 151.5. Saint Thomas, which has won three of its last four games, will host UC Riverside on Dec. 20. UNC Asheville will look to rebound when it hosts Kentucky Christian on Tuesday.

Preview: Saint Thomas (Minn.) Tommies at UNC Asheville Bulldogs ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Interstat) — Two teams trending in opposite directions will meet Saturday when the Saint Thomas (Minn.) Tommies visit the UNC Asheville Bulldogs in a nonconference men’s basketball game at Kimmel Arena. The Tommies (7-4) enter with momentum from a dominant 88-65 victory over Weber State last Sunday. In that win, junior guard Nolan Minessale erupted for 32 points, five assists and two blocks, continuing a torrid scoring stretch. Over his last seven games, Minessale is averaging 21.6 points and 4.4 assists, providing the offensive engine for a Saint Thomas team that has won five of its last seven. Conversely, the Bulldogs (4-6) are looking to halt a skid after a heartbreaking 90-87 overtime loss to Miami (Ohio) on Wednesday. Despite the defeat, sophomore guard Toyaz Solomon delivered a career-high 31 points. Solomon has been a bright spot, averaging over 20 points per game in his last five outings. UNC Asheville’s defense, however, has struggled recently, allowing an average of 82.2 points over its last five games. Saint Thomas has shown potency on the road this season, with notable wins at Portland and Southeast Missouri State. Their offensive balance, fueled by Minessale and backcourt mates Nick Janowski and Ryan Dufault, will test a vulnerable Asheville defense. The Bulldogs will rely on Solomon and guard Justin Wright, who dished out eight assists in the last game, to generate offense. Securing a quality win against a Tommies squad with a winning record would provide a significant boost before Asheville opens Big South Conference play next month. Saturday’s contest is the first-ever meeting between the programs. For Saint Thomas, it represents a final major nonconference test before Summit League play begins in January. For UNC Asheville, it’s a critical opportunity to steady itself before a softer stretch of the schedule. Tip-off is set for Saturday afternoon at Kimmel Arena.