ATHERTON, Ca.- At the Menlo College Peninsula Classic, St. Thomas used a stout defensive effort to build a 23-point lead before William Jessup made things interesting late before succumbing to the Bobcats.
 
St. Thomas jumped out to a 30-9 advantage during which William Jessup made just 3-of-23 field goal attempts in the opening 15 minutes of play. The Bobcats forced 18 turnovers by halftime, leading 39-20 at the break.
 
The second half began much as the first ended with St. Thomas parlaying its aggressive defense into points. The Bobcats took their biggest lead of the game when Victoria Caballero scored off an Amanda Fernandez assist for a 47-24 cushion four minutes into the second stanza.
 
William Jessup somehow found a way to fortify its offense thereafter and made a run after facing its biggest deficit. Trailing 51-31 just more than seven minutes into the half, the Warriors scored 11 consecutive points to pull within single digits at 51-42 with six minutes, 38 seconds left in the game. Teresa Keith started the surge with a basket before Ashley Rose score a trio of baskets, including one from long range. Cassie Davidson converted a pass from Natalie Cooley to end the run.
 
Field goals from Nickerline Montina and Carissa Staiano proved to be the final nails in the Warriors coffin as St. Thomas never let William Jessup draw any closer.
 
Alexandria Vanterpool proved to be unguardable for the Bobcats in the post, scoring 17 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. Cindy Castrillon added 12 points, Staiano had nine points and six rebounds, and Amanda Fernandez netted eight points.
 
St. Thomas improves to 5-4 on the season while William Jessup falls to 4-11.