SALEM, Va. - A season for the history books came to an end in the 2016 NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship game as the Benedictine University men's basketball team lost for the first time, falling to the University of St. Thomas in the first ever meeting of two catholic schools in the title game.
FINAL SCORESt. Thomas 82, Benedictine 76
THE DETAILS
• Benedictine never led in the contest, falling behind 4-0
• Tahron Harvey drilled a three-pointer to pull Benedictine within 6-5 at the 16:24 mark
• St. Thomas quickly struck for six in a row, building the lead to seven points at 12-5
• Luke Johnson connected on a three-pointer with 9:21 remaining in the first half to pull within 18-14
• St. Thomas was able to pull ahead by double figures at 11 points on two occasions as the half wound down
• Michael Blaszczyk brought Benedictine within 30-27 after a three-pointer with 2:52 left in the half but St. Thomas led 37-32 at the intermission, just the fifth halftime deficit of the year
• St. Thomas maintained the lead in the second half, answering every Benedictine push
• Harvey completed a three-point play with 11:15 remaining to bring Benedictine within five points at 56-5, but two minutes later St. Thomas was ahead 65-53
• Benedictine attempted a frantic comeback later in the game
• John Dodson opened a 12-4 run with a layup at the 6:21 marker
• Johnson slammed home a dunk to pull Benedictine within 73-71 with 1:32 to play, but St. Thomas scored the next six points to pull away and win the title
FROM THE COACH"Congratulations to St. Thomas," head coach
Keith Bunkenburg said. "They don't have many weaknesses. We struggled a little bit in the first half offensively, taking some quick shots. I couldn't be more proud of this team, their effort, and what they've done all year."
STAT LEADERS
• Johnson led a valiant effort, tallying 21 points and 11 rebounds
• Dodson posted 13 points with
Tim Reamer adding 11 off the bench
• Benedictine shot 54.5 percent in the second half and finished the game at 47.7 percent
• St. Thomas held a 36-32 edge on the glass, just the second time Benedictine has been outrebounded on the season
• Benedictine only turned the ball over 10 times, but led directly to 15 St. Thomas points
FINAL RECORDBenedictine (31-1) lost for the first time on the season and ended a historic run that saw the team break countless school and conference records while advancing further than any other team in school history
