MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. - St. Thomas (2-5, 1-0 TSC) grabbed its conference opener today with a victory over Keiser University (3-4, 0-1 TSC).  With a battle that stretched throughout four quarters of play, the Bobcats would grab the win with a free throw in the last few seconds of regulation to win 62-61 over the Seahawks.

Leading all Bobcat scorers with 18 points, was Desanta' Franklin-Jordan.  Following behind her in double-digits were teammates Jamesha Willis (15 points) and Samara Auguste with 10 points. 

During first quarter play, Keiser would take and early jump on the St. Thomas up until the two minute mark when the Bobcats would manage to take the lead by four.  Using the momentum from the end of quarter one, St. Thomas would continue to hold the lead with four minutes remaining until half.  With the scoreboard showing 17-18 and the Keiser leading by one, both teams would begin to exert effort trying to exchange leads headed into the half.

With the fight continuing out of the half, both teams would continue to press one another hoping the other would break.  As the clock wound down, and the score tied at 37, Keiser would sink two free throws before Auguste would sink a huge three to put the Bobcats up by one.  Following the three came two more buckets as Katie Rienas and Franklin-Jordan both sunk jumpers to stretch the lead to five.  However, before the quarter would end, the Seahawks would steal the ball for a fast break lay-up to bring the score within three.

Playing with a chip on their shoulder, Keiser would play tough basketball headed into the final quarter.  Gaining the lead in the early minutes of quarter four, the Seahawks would manage to keep a slight lead over the Bobcats until the remaining seconds when Willis would drain a three to tie the game.  With 14 seconds left on the game clock, Willis would get sent to the line to shoot two free throws.  Sinking both of her shots, the Bobcats would lead 62-60 with under 10 seconds remaining in the game.  With emotions running high, St. Thomas would foul Keiser's Dominique Winbush and send her to the line.  However, Winbush would make only one of her two attempts allowing the Bobcats to slide away with the victory.

The Bobcats will return back to the grind Wednesday, December 30th, against the University of Saint Francis Ill.  The match will take place at The Fernandez Family Center in Miami Gardens, Fl for the Athlete's Meals Classic.  Tip-off is set for 3 P.M. E.T.