SIOUX CITY, Iowa- No. 7 seeded St. Thomas (21-10) came up just short against back-to-back national champions, no. 2 seeded Marian (32-2) by a final score of 66-70 in the first round of the NAIA National Championships.
 
Ebony Griffin was the all-around star on the day for the Bobcats as she recorded her fourth double-double of the season in this close-fought matchup. She registered 11 rebounds at the halfway mark of this ball game. After the final whistle blew, a game-high 15 boards were snagged while she scored 13 points.
 
Although the three ball didn't fall for STU, Samara Auguste exploded and exploited the holes in the paint left by the opposition. She led all Bobcat scorers with 16 points as she was also able to assist on four occasions and snatch four steals.
 
From the start, both teams came out attacking as the Bobcats drove hard in the paint as Marian shot from long range.
 
After the first quarter of play, it was clear that neither team was going to let this game get away from them. There was a certain level of intensity in this ball game and it was proven through the relentless aggressiveness down low and the momentum shifting threes from both teams.
 
The ball game was filled with action on both ends of the floor as both played their hearts out.
 
It was a tight matchup in the first half as the Bobcats went into the locker room with a one-point lead, 29-28. St. Thomas put up the numbers as Auguste earned nine of her team-high points in this opening half.
 
If the first half was close, the second half was even closer as the grind continued from beginning to end of the closing stanza.
 
The Knights couldn't keep the Bobcats quiet as STU pulled with a lead with 1:20 left in the game. Smart basketball was played late in the game as Keiana Brooks stole the ball to push a fast break lay-up. The very next play, Brooks took over and drained a much needed two ball to give STU that one-point lead, 62-61.
 
The resiliency from the Bobcats fell just short as Marian would jump out in front with the win.
 
Although the win did not go in favor of St. Thomas, the paint was where the Bobcats exploded as they closed out the game with a 10-point advantage down low (48-38). A great strong point in the game for STU.
 
Notable numbers in the game came from Auguste (16 points, four assists, four steals), Griffin (13 points, 15 rebounds (fourth double-double of season), Brooks (13 points, three assists, four rebounds), and Rienas (10 points).
 
Under the leadership of first-year Head Coach and St. Thomas University alumna Candace Walker (M.S, Sports Administration, '11), the Bobcats finish their 2017-18 season with a 21-10 record and a NAIA National Championship Tournament appearance.
 
Congratulations on an amazing season ladies!