Johnny Tauer has led the St. Thomas men’s basketball team since 2011. Prior to that he served as an assistant coach for 11 years after playing for the Tommies in 1990s and has had more than his share of memorable experiences with the program.
Saturday night he joined a sold-out crowd of 5,325 in reveling in the team’s debut at the Lee and Penny Anderson Arena.
“What a magical night,” Tauer said. “It seems surreal in a way after all that has gone into it. I think this building is as beautiful as any in college basketball.
“There aren’t many things after 26 years in coaching that you haven’t seen. I flash back to being a 6-year-old kid with my dad, not going to the old gym, but the other old gym at O’Shaughnessy Hall.
“To look at where this university has come and where we’re headed is just so inspiring.”
The Tommies, who opened the season with a 84-58 loss at Saint Mary’s on Monday, enjoyed a 21-point lead over Army in the first half and responded to a couple of mini runs by the Black Knights in an 83-76 victory.
Nolan Minessale led the Tommies with 20 points. Nick Janowski had 16, Carter Bjerke 12 and Isaiah Johnson-Arigu 11.
The choice of the Black Knights as the Tommies’ first opponent in their new arena had special significance. Lee Anderson, a graduate of West Point, where he was a member of the basketball team, has long been a financial supporter of both institutions.
The Black Knights play in Christl Arena, named after Minneapolis native Edward Christl, who attended St. Thomas before entering the United States Military Academy in 1941. Christl was killed in action in 1945 and is buried at West Point Cemetery.
The Andersons were saluted in a pregame ceremony and took part in a ceremonial opening tip after being greeted by Tauer at center court.
The Tommies led 8-6 before going on a 24-5 run to take a 32-11 lead with eight minutes to play in the first half, leading Army coach Kevin Kuwait to take a timeout.
The Black Knights then went on a run of their own, cutting the Tommies’ lead to 34-20. The teams played even the remainder of the first half, with the Tommies taking a 44-29 lead into the locker room.
Army cut the Tommies’ lead to 53-46, as close as it had been since the game was eight minutes old. But a couple of driving baskets by Johnson-Arigu got the Tommies started on an 8-2 run that built their lead back up to 13.
A Minessale basket with just under three minutes to play that gave the Tommies a 73-59 lead all but sealed the victory.
The Tommies are back on the road Monday night when they play Washington State before returning to Anderson Arena on Thursday to play Green Bay.
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