ST. PAUL, Minn. (Interstat) — Jada Hood scored 22 points to lead Saint Thomas (Minn.) to a 70-50 win over Drake in a nonconference women’s basketball game Saturday at Schoenecker Arena. The Tommies built a commanding 43-17 halftime lead behind 23 first-quarter points. Drake outscored Saint Thomas in the second half but could not overcome the large deficit. Alyssa Sand added 17 points for the Tommies, who evened their record at 6-6. Grace Knutson scored 16 points for the Bulldogs, who fell to 1-8. Maggie Taylor recorded an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double in the loss. Attendance was 601.

SAINT PAUL, Minn. (Interstat) — The Saint Thomas Tommies used a dominant first half to build an insurmountable lead and cruised to a 70-50 victory over the Drake Bulldogs in a nonconference women’s basketball game Saturday at Schoenecker Arena. The Tommies, improving to 6-6, seized control from the opening tip, outscoring the Bulldogs 43-17 in the first half. Drake’s offensive struggles were profound, managing only 10 points in the first quarter and seven in the second. The Bulldogs shot a frigid 4 of 26 from the field in the opening 20 minutes, including 0 for 7 from three-point range, while committing 11 turnovers. Saint Thomas, conversely, was efficient and assertive. The Tommies shot 50% from the field in the first quarter, building a 23-10 lead, and extended it with a 20-point second quarter. The backcourt duo of Jada Hood and Alyssa Sand provided the primary offensive thrust throughout the opening half, combining for 24 points by the break. Drake, which fell to 1-8, showed signs of life after halftime, outscoring Saint Thomas 17-11 in the third quarter and winning the fourth quarter 16-16. A 7-0 run early in the third, capped by a three-pointer from Abbie Aalsma, briefly cut the deficit to 19 points, but the Tommies consistently answered any Bulldog push. The most important sequence of the game came late in the first quarter, effectively extinguishing Drake’s early hopes. After a sluggish start from both teams, Saint Thomas closed the period on a 14-2 run over the final 3:42. The run featured a three-pointer from Faith Feuerbach, a driving layup from Savannah McGowan, and was punctuated by a deep three from Alyssa Sand with 49 seconds left, giving the Tommies a 22-8 lead. Autumn McCall then drew a foul on a final possession and made one free throw to establish a 23-10 advantage after one quarter. This burst established a tone of defensive pressure and offensive execution that Drake could never overcome. Jada Hood, a guard from Saint Paul, led all scorers with 22 points, adding eight rebounds and five assists for Saint Thomas. Forward Alyssa Sand of Albany, Minnesota, was a force inside and out, finishing with 17 points, seven rebounds, three blocks and two steals. For Drake, Grace Knutson scored 16 points, all in the second half, and Abbie Aalsma added 15 points and five rebounds. Maggie Taylor recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, but the Bulldogs were plagued by poor shooting overall, finishing at 29.7% from the field and 20% from three-point range. Drake’s 17 turnovers led to 15 points for Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas shot 40% from the field and connected on 10 three-pointers. The Tommies also out-assisted Drake 11-6 and recorded 11 steals. Drake next plays at Indiana State on Wednesday. Saint Thomas hosts Northern Iowa next Sunday.

Drake Seeks Elusive Win Against Host Saint Thomas SAINT PAUL, Minn. (Interstat) — The Drake women’s basketball team, mired in a seven-game skid, looks to break through when it visits Saint Thomas (Minn.) in a nonconference matchup Saturday at Schoenecker Arena. The Bulldogs (1-7) have struggled since a season-opening win, most recently falling 80-74 to Western Illinois on Dec. 7. Drake will lean on forward Maggie Taylor, who posted a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds in that loss. Taylor has been a bright spot, averaging 14.5 points over her last four games. Grace Knutson (24 points) and Abbie Aalsma (22 points) also provided significant scoring against Western Illinois. The Tommies (5-6) enter on a three-game winning streak, including a dominant 112-23 victory over Crown College on Wednesday. Autumn McCall led the way in that lopsided affair with 14 points in 22 minutes. Saint Thomas has shown resilience after a 1-5 start, with recent wins over Montana and Northern Arizona highlighting the streak. This game represents a contrast in momentum. Drake’s offense, averaging 67.6 points per game, has been undermined by defensive lapses, allowing opponents 80.1 points on average. Saint Thomas averages 66.5 points offensively but has tightened its defense during its streak, holding its last three Division I opponents to an average of 65.3 points. For Drake, halting its slide before Missouri Valley Conference play resumes in January is paramount. For Saint Thomas, continuing its mid-season surge against a struggling major-conference opponent offers a chance to build confidence ahead of Summit League action. The game tips off at 2 p.m. CST on Saturday. Drake visits Indiana State on Dec. 17. Saint Thomas hosts Northern Iowa on Dec. 21.