MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – 18^th ranked St. Thomas (10-0) remained perfect with a 73-70 defeat over 11^th ranked (NAIA D-I) MidAmerica Nazarene (10-2) Monday night at the Fernandez Family Center.  The Pioneers were the highest-ranked NAIA Division I opponent defeated by St. Thomas in the program's history.
 
Junior guard Berna Miranda hit five-of-six three-point attempts and scored 20 points to lead all scorers.  Junior forward Dannisha Pierce scored 19, shooting nine-of-ten from the free throw line including two free throws with six seconds left in the game to ice the victory.
 
Senior guard Shanika Brooks added 17 points with four three-pointers.  Senior forward Constina Cousins registered team highs with six rebounds, three blocked shots, and three steals to go along with her 12 points.
 
After taking a 39-29 lead into the half, the Bobcats matched their largest lead of the game taking a 50-37 lead with 16:43 to play on a Pierce jumper.  MidAmerica Nazarene would go on a 14-6 run to cut the lead to five points before a three-pointer by Miranda gave the Bobcats a 61-53 lead with 9:47 to play.  MNU then went on an 8-0 run to tie the game 61-61.  A Cousins jumper and a Miranda three-pointer would open up the STU lead again, but the Pioneers battled back again, ultimately cutting the lead to with 15 seconds to play.
 
MidAmerica Nazarene was forced to foul in the final seconds, putting Pierce on the line as she made her final two free throws to give STU the win.