MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – St. Thomas bounced back from their lone loss in conference play with an authoritative 61-37 victory over Northwood on Friday night at the Fernandez Center.  The 16^th ranked Bobcats were led by junior forward Constina Cousins who registered a double-double of 14 points and 14 rebounds.

STU improved its record to 17-5 overall and 7-1 in The Sun Conference.  Northwood dropped to 7-15 overall and 5-3 in the conference. The Bobcats swept the season series vs. the Seahawks having won 74-53 back on Jan. 7.

A new starting backcourt produced handsomely for the Bobcats.  Junior point guard Shanika Brooks, who joined the team in January, played a team-best 38 minutes with eight rebounds, three steals, two assists and a made three-pointer. Senior Maddie Cummings had 14 points, five rebounds, three steals and three assists in 32 minutes.

“I think overall as a team we did a good job and stayed consistent,” said Head Coach Robin Harmony. “We didn't let the team comeback we had a good start and we had really good play by one of our newcomers Shanika Brooks. She is now running the point and Maddie(Cummings) can be the two guard.”

In the scoring column, three Bobcats had 14 points with senior forward Nickerline Montina joining Cummings and Cousins.  On the glass, St. Thomas had a 15-rebound advantage overall and outrebounded Northwood 26-7 on the offensive end.

Cousins earned her team-best sixth double-double of the 2011-12 season.  The 14 rebounds for Cousins was a season-high for the New Jersey native.

Junior Dannisha Pierce filled up the stat sheet as well with 12 points, seven rebounds, four steals, two assists and a blocked shot.  Pierce shot 4-of-9 from the field and 4-of-5 from the charity stripe.

The Bobcats return to action with a Saturday matinee  vs. Johnson & Wales at 2 p.m. at the Fernandez Center.