AVE MARIA, Fla. - St. Thomas (2-4, 1-1 TSC fell to host Ave Maria (4-4, 2-2 TSC) 55-47 Saturday afternoon in Ave Maria, Fla.

Samara Auguste led the Bobcats with 24 points in the defeat. Auguste went 9-18 from the field, including four made three-pointers.  She also registered a team-high five steals.

Desanta' Franklin-Jordan added 11 points as the only other double-figure scorer for the Bobcats.

The two teams played a tight first quarter with Ave Maria holding a 18-17 advantage.  The Gyrenes then pulled ahead with an impressive second quarter, outscoring STU 17-4.

The Bobcats outscored the Gyrenes 26-20 in the second half, but the deficit was too much to overcome.

St. Thomas returns to action with competition at the Cruzin Classic in Ft. Lauderdale Dec. 18-19.