WALESKA, GA. – (RV) St. Thomas University (3-3) defeated (RV) Reinhardt University (5-2) 59-56 on the road in a hard fought victory on Sunday afternoon from the Rollins Wellness Complex.

STU started the game on an early 10-4 run, as Samra Auguste, Ebony Griffin, Jaddah Knight and Keiana Brooks all got involved early to get the Bobcats offense started. St. Thomas fought off multiple Reinhardt rallies to maintain control of the first quarter, as the quarter ended with STU leading 19-15, courtesy of 14 points from inside the paint. 

The Eagles started the second quarter with a 7-0 run of their own to claim their first lead of the game at 19-22. Griffin recorded six consecutive points for STU to reclaim the lead at 25-22, with just under three minutes remaining in the half. RU finished the second quarter with another sustained run, rattling off an 8-0 run, which included a buzzer-beating layup to send the game into halftime with St. Thomas trailing 25-30. 

Within two minutes, following the halftime break, Reinhardt built their largest lead of the game over STU, leading by nine points at 26-35. Knight recorded four consecutive points to bring the Eagles lead to one with over four minutes remaining in the quarter, at 34-35, to put the Bobcats within striking distance of reclaiming the lead. St. Thomas did just that, as Auguste made four free throw attempts a minute later to give STU a three-point advantage at 40-37. Anari Dozier nailed a clutch three-point bucket, to extend the lead to four-points with a minute remaining before the final quarter. 

The fourth quarter maintained the same back-and-forth efforts by both teams, as neither was able to get ahead by more than five points down the stretch-run. Knight, proving to be clutch once again, tied the game at 53-53 with three minutes remaining with another clutch lay-up. Brooks gave the Bobcats the lead once again in the final minute, with a jumper of her own, to put STU up by two points, 55-53, late in the game. The Brooks jumper, set the stage for Auguste to close the game thirty-seconds later at the free-throw line. As the game approached zero, in its final seconds ,Auguste knocked in four clutch free throws to seal the victory at 59-56.

Bobcat Leaders:
Ebony Griffin: 15 points, 10 rebounds, 7-16 FG
Samara Auguste: 15 points, four steals, 8-8 FT
Jaddah Knight: 14 points, nine rebounds.

STU has a quick turnaround and plays Bretwon-Parker College on Monday, November 26^th to conclude their Georgia road-trip with tip-off scheduled for 5:30 p.m.