MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – No. 3 seed St. Thomas (14-14, 9-7 TSC) advanced to the semifinals of The Sun Conference Championships Tournament with a 86-72 win over no. 6 seed Ave Maria (11-15, 7-9 TSC) on Tuesday night at the Fernandez Family Center.  The Bobcats won the Opening Round game shooting 58% from the field and making 21 of 29 free throw attempts.  
 
The 86 points scored marked a season-high for the Bobcats who also registered season-best totals in field goals made, field goal percentage and free throws made.

Desanta' Franklin-Jordan led the Bobcats with 21 points.  Supavadee Kunchuan recorded a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds, going a perfect 5-of-5 from the field and 8-of-8 from the free throw line.  Samara Auguste scored 17 points on 5-of-9 shooting.  Emily May hit four three-pointers en route to 16 points, while Katie Rienas added 14 points.
 
It marked the fifth time Franklin-Jordan has scored 20 or more points this season and the sixth double-double of the year for Kunchuan. 
 
The two teams played an even opening period with the Bobcats leading 15-13 after the first quarter.  STU then pulled away at the end of the second to take a 40-29 lead into intermission.  The Gyrenes came out of halftime with a 17-6 scoring run to tie the game at 46-46 heading into a timeout with 4:53 to play in the third.  The Bobcats responded with a 10-0 run and finished the third quarter on a 19-7 run to blow the game open.
 
STU held strong through the fourth quarter, extending their lead to as many as 18 points en route to the 14-point victory. 
 
St. Thomas will face no. 2 seed Keiser in The Sun Conference Championships semifinals on Friday at 7 p.m. in Lakeland, Fla.  The championship game is scheduled for Saturday at 6 p.m.