ST. THOMAS, VIRGIN ISLANDS – St. Thomas University's Women's Basketball team (12-4, 4-1 TSC) will be taking their hot streak into 2019 play as they defeated the University of the Virgin Islands Bucs (5-18) to sweep the series in the three game match-up between the two teams. On Saturday night, the Bobcats concluded their road-trip and play in 2018 by defeating the Bucs in the UVI Christmas Classic 59-47.

Bobcat Starters: Samara Auguste (G), Keiana Brooks (G), Jaddah Knight (G), Chakari Merritt (F), Ebony Griffin (F)

Lady Buccaneer Starters: Misah Edwards (G), Skylar Hatfield (G), Rhea Benjamin (F), Laura Costello (C), Rachel Harvey (C)

St. Thomas Key-points

• Jaddah Knight came out hot as she scored nine of her fifteen-points in the first quarter.
• The Bobcats outscored the Bucs nineteen to nine in the second quarter to take a fourteen point lead going into the half.
• Chakari Merritt went a perfect four-for-four from the free-throw line and recorded seven of her eight-rebounds in the second quarter.
• St. Thomas defense was in control as the full court press set the standard for forty defensive stops and sixteen steals on the night, the second most all season.

Game Notes

• Bobcats led all game; the biggest margin was by eighteen.
• The Bucs outscored the Bobcats twenty-three to nineteen in the third quarter and then opened up the fourth quarter with a three to bring the game within seven.
• St. Thomas swept the three-game series on the year winning the first match at home (81-64), game two last night (53-41), and tonight's contest (59-47).
• The game was called with eight minutes remaining due to the fact of the well-being of the Virgin Islands players as they would have been playing with only four players on the court.
• Because the contest surpassed 30-minutes of play, all statistics as well as the score will remaining in accordance with NCAA regulations.
• Bobcats will end 2018 play on a nine-game winning streak.

Box Score Notables

• The second half saw the Bobcats at a 56.3% field goal percentage.
• STU scored 23-points off of turnovers.
• Auguste led all players in scoring as he recorded sixteen-points on the night.

Bobcat Ballers

Samara Auguste: 16 points, four steals

Jaddah Knight: 15 points, six rebounds, three steals

Chakari Merritt: six points, eight rebounds

Upcoming

St. Thomas will resume play in the 2019 year opening at home in the Fernandez Family Center to continue conference play and take on the Warriors of Webber International University at 5:30 p.m.

-STU-