MIAMI GARDENS, FLA.- St. Thomas (1-3, 1-0 TSC) opened up conference play with a strong win against cross town rivals Florida Memorial (4-2, 0-1 TSC) on Saturday night by a final score of 61-50 at the Fernandez Family Center.
 
This win marked the first career win as a head coach for St. Thomas University alumna Candace Walker (MS, Sports Administration '11).
 
The first quarter set the tone for St. Thomas as the home team outscored the Lions in the first quarter 23-8. In this quarter alone, Katie Rienas scored in double figures with 10 points to her name. STU shut out FMU on the fast break as six of the games 10 quick scores came in the first.
 
To close out the first half, STU secured the momentum heading into the locker room with a 14-point lead, 41-27 score line. Rienas closed out the half with 17 of her game-high 22 points, while Samara Auguste earned 12 of her 17 points.
 
The third quarter brought a low scoring bout between both opponents as the teams tied with a 7-7 standoff.
 
The lead in the first quarter truly helped cushion the Bobcat lead as the fourth had Florida Memorial outscore St. Thomas 16-13. Newcomer Ebony Griffin drained 2-of-4 from the field and a perfect 3-for-3 from the free throw line as she recorded seven of her nine points.
 
Notable numbers on the night came from Rienas (22 points, nine rebounds, four assists and four steals), Auguste (15 points, five rebounds, three assists and a game-high seven steals) and Griffin (nine points and six rebounds).
 
As a team, STU scored 22 points in the paint and converted 23 points off of 24 FMU turnovers.
 
Next up for the Bobcats is an away match up against NCAA DII Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla. on Monday, November 20 at 5:30 p.m.
 
To follow live video and stats: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/rollins/.
 
Let's Go Bobcats!
 
 
 
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