Sophomore guard Cortez Tillman scored a career-high 23 points off the bench and the visiting Tommies knocked down 29-of-36 free throws to hold off host Bethel 81-68 in Monday night's MIAC men's basketball play in Arden Hills.

St. Thomas (10-2 overall, 7-0 MIAC) trailed 32-28 at halftime but scored 53 second-half points. UST rolled up a 43-25 rebounding advantage.

Tillman, who came in averaging 5.5 points a game, scored seven points in a 27-second span – two 3-point baskets and a foul shot -- to fuel a deciding 12-1 run that built a 71-55 lead with 2:30 to play. Tillman hit 7-of-8 free throws in the final 51 seconds to help UST keep a double-digit advantage.

Zach Riedeman had 14 points, Taylor Montero had 10 points, Conner Nord added 11 rebounds, and Ryan Saarela had eight points and eight rebounds.

St. Thomas returns home to play Gustavus on Wednesday night and Concordia-Moorhead next Saturday.