St Thomas beats South Dakota State 74-69, moves to 16-5

St. Thomas basketball pulled off a crucial Summit League victory last night. The Tommies defeated South Dakota State 74-69 in a closely contested defensive battle. This 5-point triumph improves the Minnesota program to an impressive 16-5 overall record. St. Thomas now sits atop the 5-1 conference standings, positioning themselves as serious championship contenders.

Janowski Carries St. Thomas to Victory

Nick Janowski turned in a stellar performance to lead St. Thomas to the wins. The 6-foot-4 guard finished with 21 points, shooting 6-for-13 from the field and a perfect 8-for-10 from the free-throw line. Janowski’s composure and scoring touch proved decisive in the tight second half. His ability to create buckets in critical moments kept the Tommies ahead throughout the contest against a resilient South Dakota State squad.

The Pewaukee, Wisconsin native continues his impressive season as a key piece of Johnny Tauer’s backcourt rotation. Janowski’s leadership on both ends of the floor has been invaluable to St. Thomas ambitions in the Summit League. His free-throw accuracy was especially critical down the stretch against a South Dakota State team that fought hard defensively.

Defensive Struggle Defines Intense Matchup

Both teams entered Wednesday’s contest playing strong defense, and the game lived up to expectations. South Dakota State held 47 percent shooting from the field, while St. Thomas connected on 46 percent of their attempts. The 5-point margin reflects how closely matched these Summit League foes were in execution.

Three-point shooting remained tight throughout, with South Dakota State making 7-for-22 from beyond the arc while St. Thomas converted 8-for-26 from distance. The battle on the boards was equally competitive, with both squads grabbing 34 rebounds apiece. Turnovers proved more costly for South Dakota State, who coughed it up 13 times compared to St. Thomas‘ 14 miscues.

Conference Standings Race Intensifies

Team	Conference Record	Overall Record
St. Thomas	5-1	16-5
South Dakota State	3-3	10-11
North Dakota State	7-0	17-5

North Dakota State remains unbeaten in conference play at 7-0, holding the top seed in the Summit League. However, St. Thomas‘ victory keeps the Tommies firmly in the race just 1.5 games back. The 16-5 record places St. Thomas among the conference’s elite, demonstrating their capacity to compete night after night. South Dakota State falls to 10-11 overall, dropping to 3-3 in league play after this tough road loss.

“St. Thomas continues to make winning plays down the stretch. Their efficiency and poise reflect the quality of Coach Tauer’s program and this roster’s championship aspirations.”

— According to Summit League observers

St. Thomas Poised for Second-Half Surge

St. Thomas basketball enters the back half of the season riding momentum. The Tommies’ 16-5 mark suggests Johnny Tauer‘s squad is peaking at the right time. With key players like Janowski, Carter Bjerke, Nolan Minessale, and others performing at high levels, St. Thomas appears equipped to make a deep tournament run. The 5-1 conference record positions them perfectly for Summit League contention.

The victory over South Dakota State showcased St. Thomas‘ ability to win tough games defensively. In March Madness, games like this often separate eventual tournament teams from those watching at home. St. Thomas has demonstrated resilience, balanced scoring, and defensive tenacity. If the Tommies continue this trajectory, NCAA tournament basketball could be calling.

What Can St. Thomas Accomplish Before Tournament Time?

St. Thomas has an opportunity to make serious noise in the Summit League down the stretch. With 17 regular season games potentially remaining, the Tommies can pad their resume with quality wins. Head Coach Johnny Tauer has built a program capable of competing with anyone in their conference. Janowski’s leadership, Bjerke’s rim presence, and role players‘ contributions create a balanced attack.

The big question facing St. Thomas is whether they can catch North Dakota State‘ perfect conference record or win a Summit League championship to secure an automatic tournament bid. The path is challenging but absolutely achievable with continued performances like Wednesday night’s 5-point victory. Every win against teams like South Dakota State builds tournament credibility and confidence.

Sources

• ESPN: Official box score and game recap for St. Thomas vs South Dakota State January 22, 2026
• St. Thomas Athletics: 2025-26 roster and schedule information
• Summit League: Current conference standings and results