St. Thomas Defeats South Dakota 99-86 in High-Scoring Affair
Wednesday, January 7, 2026, 9:00 PM ET · Lee & Penny Anderson Arena
St. Thomas Tommies 99, South Dakota Coyotes 86, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won South Dakota Coyotes vs St. Thomas Tommies?
St. Thomas Tommies beat South Dakota Coyotes 99-86 at Lee & Penny Anderson Arena on January 7, 2026.
Who was favored in South Dakota Coyotes vs St. Thomas Tommies?
St. Thomas Tommies were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -1350 (about 93% implied). The favorite won.
In an exciting matchup at the Lee & Penny Anderson Arena, the St. Thomas Tommies secured a convincing 99-86 victory over the South Dakota Coyotes. This game was notable not only for its high score but also for the Tommies' impressive home record, which now stands at 14-4, while the Coyotes fall to 8-10 on the season.
St. Thomas entered the game on a six-game winning streak, showcasing a strong form with an average of 89.8 points scored in their last five games and only allowing 68.0 points. Their recent performances included a thrilling 92-88 win against the Denver Pioneers and a dominant 105-59 victory over the North Central Rams. In contrast, South Dakota had a more mixed recent form, going 5-5 in their last ten games, with an average of 79.8 points scored and 82.3 points allowed. Their last outing resulted in a loss to the North Dakota State Bison, where they fell 61-84.
At home, St. Thomas has been particularly formidable, boasting a perfect 6-0 record this season. Their offensive prowess has been on full display, as they have consistently outscored their opponents. South Dakota, on the other hand, has struggled on the road, holding an 0-4 record in away games this season, which contributed to their overall struggles.
The two teams had met previously in the current season, with St. Thomas winning the first encounter 119-104 at home on January 12, 2025, while South Dakota claimed a narrow victory in the second meeting, winning 85-80 on February 20, 2025. This history added an intriguing layer to the matchup, with both teams looking to assert dominance in their rivalry.
In terms of injuries, the block does not provide specific details, but it is always a factor in the dynamics of such games. The absence of key players can significantly influence a team's performance, especially in high-stakes matchups.
The betting market, as reported by DraftKings, had set the odds with St. Thomas favored by 14.5 points and a total of 162.5 points for the game. The money line reflected a strong belief in a Tommies victory, with St. Thomas listed at -1350 and South Dakota at +800. This indicates a clear expectation from the market regarding the outcome of the game.
Conditions in the arena were conducive to a high-scoring affair, with both teams displaying an offensive mindset throughout the match. The Tommies' ability to capitalize on their home court advantage was evident as they maintained a steady lead. Key moments in the second half included a dunk by Nolan Minessale that brought the score to 97-79 in favor of St. Thomas, and a series of free throws by Hayden Tibbits that further extended their lead.
Viewers were treated to a display of offensive skill, with both teams pushing the pace and looking to score quickly. The final score of 99-86 reflects the high level of play and intensity that characterized the game. As the season progresses, St. Thomas will look to build on this momentum, while South Dakota will need to regroup and address their defensive issues to improve their away performance.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | STMN -14.5 | 162.5 o -108 / u -112 | South Dakota Coyotes +800 · St. Thomas Tommies -1350 |
Leaders
- PointsIsaiah Johnson-Arigu25St. Thomas Tommies
- AssistsNolan Minessale12St. Thomas Tommies
- ReboundsIsaiah Johnson-Arigu4St. Thomas Tommies
- PointsIsaac Bruns24South Dakota Coyotes
- AssistsTrent Hudgens4South Dakota Coyotes
- ReboundsCameron Fens11South Dakota Coyotes
Recent form
St. Thomas Tommies
Last 10: 8-2Streak W685.4 scored · 69.3 allowed per game6-0 at home
- W92-88vs Denver PioneersJan 4
- W105-59vs North Central RamsDec 28
- W92-78vs UC Riverside HighlandersDec 21
- W80-59at UNC Asheville BulldogsDec 13
- W80-56vs Saint John's (MN) JohnniesDec 12
- W88-65vs Weber State WildcatsDec 7
- L74-82at Montana State BobcatsDec 4
- W87-52vs Lawrence VikingsNov 30
- W76-66at Portland PilotsNov 23
- L80-88at Cal State Fullerton TitansNov 22
South Dakota Coyotes
Last 10: 5-5Streak L179.8 scored · 82.3 allowed per game0-4 away
- L61-84at North Dakota State BisonDec 31
- W85-61vs Mount Marty LancersDec 28
- L76-106at Kansas State WildcatsDec 20
- W80-71vs Dakota State TrojansDec 18
- W97-85vs Prairie View A&M PanthersDec 13
- L79-106at Wyoming CowboysDec 10
- L87-89at Northern Colorado BearsDec 7
- L71-77vs Portland State VikingsDec 4
- W80-63vs Air Force FalconsNov 29
- W82-81vs South Carolina State BulldogsNov 23
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota State | 27-8 | - | 14-2 |
| St. Thomas | 24-10 | 2 | 12-4 |
| North Dakota | 18-17 | 4 | 10-6 |
| South Dakota | 16-16 | 6 | 8-8 |
| Omaha | 16-17 | 6 | 8-8 |
| Denver | 15-17 | 7 | 8-8 |
| South Dakota State | 14-18 | 7 | 7-9 |
| Oral Roberts | 10-23 | 10 | 4-12 |
| Kansas City | 4-27 | 13 | 1-15 |
Box score
| Stat | South Dakota Coyotes | St. Thomas Tommies |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 29-59 | 37-59 |
| Field goal % | 49 | 63 |
| Three-pointers | 12-23 | 9-20 |
| Three-point % | 52 | 45 |
| Free throws | 16-17 | 16-21 |
| Free throw % | 94 | 76 |
| Rebounds | 31 | 26 |
| Offensive rebounds | 9 | 5 |
| Defensive rebounds | 22 | 21 |
| Assists | 14 | 28 |
| Steals | 2 | 10 |
| Blocks | 3 | 1 |
| Turnovers | 16 | 9 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 13 | 23 |
| Fast-break points | 2 | 8 |
| Points in the paint | 28 | 54 |
| Fouls | 13 | 18 |
| Largest lead | 3 | 24 |
| Lead changes | 1 | 1 |
| Time in front | 1 | 94 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half49-66Ethan Kizer makes 24-foot three point jumper (Uzziah Buntyn assists)
- 2nd Half50-66Ethan Kizer makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half50-69Jermaine Coleman makes 25-foot three point jumper (Austin Herro assists)
- 2nd Half52-69Isaac Bruns makes driving layup
- 2nd Half52-70Nick Janowski makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half54-70Trent Hudgens makes driving layup
- 2nd Half54-72Carter Bjerke makes layup (Nick Janowski assists)
- 2nd Half57-72Ethan Kizer makes 23-foot three point jumper (Trent Hudgens assists)
- 2nd Half57-75Jermaine Coleman makes 25-foot three point jumper (Nick Janowski assists)
- 2nd Half59-75Trent Hudgens makes driving layup
- 2nd Half59-77Nolan Minessale makes driving layup (Austin Herro assists)
- 2nd Half59-79Ryan Dufault makes layup
- 2nd Half60-79Jordan Crawford makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half61-79Jordan Crawford makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half62-79Trent Hudgens makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half63-79Trent Hudgens makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half63-81Nolan Minessale makes driving layup
- 2nd Half65-81Trent Hudgens makes 7-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half65-82Isaiah Johnson-Arigu makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half67-82Isaac Bruns makes driving layup
- 2nd Half67-85Isaiah Johnson-Arigu makes 24-foot three point jumper (Nolan Minessale assists)
- 2nd Half69-85Trent Hudgens makes 11-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half72-85Ethan Kizer makes 24-foot three point jumper (Trent Hudgens assists)
- 2nd Half72-86Carter Bjerke makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half72-87Carter Bjerke makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half72-89Isaiah Johnson-Arigu makes driving layup (Ryan Dufault assists)
- 2nd Half74-89Josiah Dotzler makes layup (Isaac Bruns assists)
- 2nd Half74-91Nolan Minessale makes layup
- 2nd Half74-93Nolan Minessale makes driving layup (Nick Janowski assists)
- 2nd Half76-93Jordan Crawford makes driving layup
- 2nd Half79-93Trent Hudgens makes 24-foot three pointer
- 2nd Half79-95Nolan Minessale makes 1-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half79-97Nolan Minessale makes 0-foot dunk
- 2nd Half81-97Isaac Bruns makes driving layup
- 2nd Half82-97Isaac Bruns makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half82-98Hayden Tibbits makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half82-99Hayden Tibbits makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half84-99Caleb Kizer makes layup (Trent Hudgens assists)
- 2nd Half85-99Trent Hudgens makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half86-99Trent Hudgens makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours St. Thomas Tommies, below favours South Dakota Coyotes.
Venue
- Lee & Penny Anderson ArenaSaint Paul, MN
- Attendance2004
- OfficialsMike Littlewood, Kelly Pfeifer, Rob Keuneman
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