DENVER – The Celts of the University of St. Thomas battled altitude and a persistent opponent Friday as they won 82-77 at Johnson & Wales (Colo.).

UST went on an 8-0 run in the final four minutes of the contest to pull away from the Wildcats for good and claim their 16th win in 17 games this season. The Celts are now 9-1 in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play.

Joshua Sanchez (McAllen, Texas / McAllen Memorial) scored a team-high 18 points on 9-of-12 shooting for the Celts. Nathan Thormaehlen (Katy, Texas / Katy) recorded his fifth double-double of the season, scoring 15 points and securing 11 rebounds.

Keaton Shaw (Mont Belvieu, Texas / Barbers Hill) scored 13 points while shooting 4-for-5 from 3-point range. His last 3-pointer with 3:59 remaining in the game broke a 73-73 tie and ignited UST's 8-0 run that was not broken until JWU's Brandon Romero knocked down a 3-pointer with 45 seconds left.

Johnson & Wales (2-15) fell to 1-9 in conference play with the setback.

Friday's game was in stark contrast to the earlier meeting between the two teams, which St. Thomas won easily by a score of 88-51. JWU shot 42 percent (8 of 19) from 3-point range while holding the Celts to 24 percent shooting (6 of 25) from the arc.

Though their long-range shots weren't falling, the Celts made up for it with their inside play, as they won the points-in-the-paint battle 48-26. UST also outrebounded their hosts 45-34.

The Celts conclude their weekend road trip to the mountains Saturday when they visit Colorado College. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. CST (4 p.m. local time).