SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Interstat) — In a game that tightened late but was ultimately controlled by a dynamic offensive duo, the Saint Thomas Tommies defeated the South Dakota State Jackrabbits 80-67 in a Summit League men’s basketball tournament quarterfinal on Thursday night at the Elmen Center.

A crowd of 6,614 saw the third-seeded Tommies (24-8) advance behind a combined 45 points from Nolan Minessale and Ben Oosterbaan, who repeatedly answered any challenge from the sixth-seeded Jackrabbits (14-18). The victory was Saint Thomas’ third this season over South Dakota State, completing a sweep of the regular-season series.

The most critical phase of the game came early in the second half. Leading 39-37 at halftime, Saint Thomas opened the final period with a decisive 13-4 run to establish its first double-digit lead. The surge was fueled by the Tommies’ primary weapons: Minessale assisted on a Carter Bjerke 3-pointer and Oosterbaan scored on a layup. When Nick Janowski converted a driving layup and the ensuing free throw with 16:43 remaining, the Tommies led 47-41 and had seized clear momentum.

South Dakota State, which shot poorly from the perimeter throughout the night, could never fully recover. The Jackrabbits clawed back to within six points on several occasions, but each time Saint Thomas had a response, often from Minessale or Oosterbaan.

Minessale, a 6-foot-5 guard from Brookfield, Wisconsin, was the game’s orchestrator, finishing with 22 points, six assists and two blocks in 38 minutes. His backcourt partner, Oosterbaan, a 6-foot-6 guard from Hinsdale, Illinois, provided a game-high 23 points, including five 3-pointers. Their synergy was evident, as they combined for several key baskets that stifled Jackrabbit rallies.

South Dakota State was led by Jaden Jackson’s 16 points, while Joe Sayler and Damon Wilkinson each added 13. The Jackrabbits’ offense, however, struggled with consistency, especially from beyond the arc where they missed a high volume of attempts. Wilkinson, the 6-foot-10 center, was effective early with several hook shots but was limited by foul trouble, playing only 21 minutes.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair featuring 10 lead changes. South Dakota State’s largest lead was four points, last at 29-25 after a Kalen Garry 3-pointer with 8:16 left. Saint Thomas closed the half strong, however, with Oosterbaan scoring five points in the final 40 seconds, including a layup off a Minessale assist just before the buzzer, to take the two-point lead into the break.

In the second half, Saint Thomas’ defense tightened, and their offensive execution proved superior. After the Jackrabbits cut the deficit to 52-49 on a Damon Wilkinson three-point play with 13:06 left, Oosterbaan and Minessale again took over. Oosterbaan hit a 3-pointer, then followed a Minessale layup with another 3-pointer, pushing the lead back to 60-52. A Minessale assist to Oosterbaan for yet another 3-pointer with 9:42 remaining gave the Tommies a 63-55 advantage, and South Dakota State never got closer than seven points the rest of the way.

Saint Thomas shot efficiently from the field and from the free-throw line, while South Dakota State’s shooting percentages lagged. The Tommies also won the rebounding battle and committed fewer turnovers in the second half to secure the victory.

With the win, Saint Thomas moves on to the tournament semifinals. South Dakota State’s season concludes with a sub-.500 record for the first time in several years. The Tommies’ victory aligned with statistical projections that heavily favored them to advance.