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ST. PAUL, Minn. – Saint John's completed a regular-season series sweep of the defending NCAA Division III national champions with a 61-56 win at St. Thomas on Wednesday, Feb. 1, in St. Paul.

The Johnnies (12-7, 8-6 MIAC) erased a three-point deficit at halftime and shot 50.0 percent (11-for-22) from the field in the second half and out-rebounded the Tommies 31-24 in the game. Both teams were 20 of 42 from the floor (47.6 percent). The difference for SJU was a 17-for-24 showing at the free-throw line and a 4-for-9 compilation from beyond the arc. UST was 14 of 22 from the charity stripe and 2-for-11 from three-point range.

A three-pointer from sophomore Seth Marx (Maple Grove, Minn./Benilde-St. Margaret's) with 5:08 left started an 8-0 run for the visitors and erased a 47-46 UST (14-6, 11-4 MIAC) lead.

Senior Aaron Barmore (Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson) led all scorers with 22 points on a perfect 7-for-7 night from the floor and added seven rebounds. Senior Andy Burns (Shorewood, Minn./Minnetonka) chipped in nine points and three assists, while Marx totaled eight points. Junior Chris Neumann (Winsted, Minn./Holy Trinity) collected six points, seven rebounds and a career-high three blocks.

Like Barmore for SJU, John Nance was the lone Tommie to reach double figures with 20 points.

With the win, head coach Jim Smith improves to 739-517 (.588) in 48 seasons at SJU.

SJU returns home to host Hamline this Saturday, Feb. 4. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. at Sexton Arena in Collegeville.

Notes: The sweep of UST is the first for the Johnnies since the 1993-94 season…the victory also snapped a seven-game losing streak on the Tommies' home floor…the last SJU victory over UST in St. Paul was on Dec. 3, 2003 (71-55) in the old Schoenecker Arena...SJU made each of its final six free throws and Marx drilled a three-pointer with 23 seconds left as SJU defeated then-No. 13 UST 68-66 on Jan. 2 in Collegeville.