Ave Maria, Fla. (January 12^th, 2019) – St. Thomas University's Women's Basketball team (15-5, 7-2 TSC) defeated the Ave Maria University Gyrenes (15-3, 6-3 TSC) 72-63 in Sun Conference play on Saturday afternoon from the Tim Golisano Fieldhouse.

Bobcat starters: Anari Dozier (G), Keiana Brooks (G), Samara Auguste (G), Jaddah Knight (F), Chakari Merritt (F)
Gyrenes starters: Macarena Corral (G), Katie Houbolt (G), Danielle Weinmann (G) Amanda Kasprzak (F), Sarah Miller (F)

Game Notes

• St. Thomas started the scoring in the Sun Conference match-up, as Keiana Brooks made a lay-up to put STU up in the first ten seconds of the game.
• Ave Maria capitalized on a quick 5-0 run to take their first lead of the game, 7-4, following a lay-up of their own.
• Samara Auguste responded and quickly tied the game, making a three-point bucket, to tie the game as part of her five-point opening quarter.
• STU trailed by five-points with two minutes remaining in the first quarter and cut the AMU lead to just two prior to the buzzer as Auguste made a clutch lay-up to end the quarter with the Bobcats trailing 15-13.
• Aggressive defense by Ebony Griffin forced a steal and Auguste added another three-point bucket in transition to recover the lead just five seconds into the second quarter.
• STU maintained the lead throughout the rest of the second quarter, completing a 12-4 run over the final five minutes, capped off by a Destiny Wilson jumper to build the largest lead of the half for either side (11) to head into halftime leading the Gyrenes, 38-29
• Anari Dozier maintained the Bobcats momentum following the halftime break, netting a three-pointer to put STU up 41-29.
• Moments later, Brooks scored five consecutive points to give STU their largest lead of the game (17) at 52-35.
• Ave Maria was only able to cut the St. Thomas lead to nine points before heading into the final quarter trailing 56-47.
• The Bobcat lead was never less than seven points throughout the fourth quarter, as STU cruised to their seventh Sun Conference win and maintained control of third place, defeating the Gyrenes 72-63.

Box Score Notables

• St. Thomas dominated the paint in the Sun Conference match-up, outscoring Ave Maria 40-30.
• The Bobcat bench provided high energy, scoring 23 points as Ebony Griffin paced the second-unit with 12.
• STU shot 49% as a team from the field (28-57), including 50% from beyond the arc (6-12) in the victory

Bobcat Ballers
Samara Auguste: 16 points, 5-12 FGA (2-3 3PA), three assists
Keiana Brooks: 11 points, 5-12 FGA, six rebounds
Ebony Griffin: 12 points, 6-10 FGA, six rebounds
Anari Dozier: 12 points, 3-4 FGA (2-3 3PA), four rebounds

Upcoming
St. Thomas returns to the Fernandez Family Center on January 19^th to take on Florida Memorial University in round two of the "Battle of Miami Gardens" with tip-off scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Florida Memorial took round one back on November 17^th, defeating the Bobcats 77-75.