MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. (January 19^th, 2019) – The St. Thomas University Bobcats Women's Basketball team (16-5, 8-2 TSC) defeated cross-town rival, Florida Memorial University (13-7, 7-3 TSC) 75-72 in the Sun Conference Game of the Week, as part of the "Battle of Miami Gardens".

In the first match-up of the season STU fell 77-75, as the game-tying shot by the Bobcats was blocked at the buzzer, for FMU to win. Florida Memorial came into the game Receiving Votes in the latest edition of the NAIA Coaches' Poll.

As part of the "Battle of Miami Gardens", STU President, David J. Armstrong J.D. invited the Mayor of Miami Gardens, Oliver Gilbert, and Florida Memorial University President, Jaffus Hardrick, to several shooting competitions (Free Throws, Three-Point, Half-Court). Mayor Gilbert claimed victory in the contests and brought home the trophy.

Game Notes

• Ebony Griffin got the Bobcats on the board, first, by making two free throws in the first fifteen seconds of the game.
• Keiana Brooks then added four consecutive points of her own to open the STU lead to 6-2, as the junior made a lay-up and a jumper, as part of a six points opening quarter.
• St. Thomas trailed Florida Memorial by as many as seven points, 17-10, before a Samara Auguste three-pointer cut the FMU lead to 17-15 with thirty seconds remaining.
• In the second quarter, St. Thomas opened on a 13-2 run over the first three minutes, capped off by an Auguste lay-in which forced a Lion timeout, with the score at 28-21.
• Florida Memorial cut the Bobcat lead to just one but Auguste came up clutch once again, adding another three-point bucket to her total to put STU up 31-27.
• Moments later, Anari Dozier, knocked in a three-point basket of her own to give STU their largest lead of the first half at eight points, 39-31.
• STU closed the half up 41-34, as Jaddah Knight knocked in a lay-up of her own.
• Following the break, Auguste knocked in another three-pointer to give STU a double digit lead over FMU.
• The cross-town rivals traded baskets for the remainder of the third quarter, as Florida Memorial tied St. Thomas before Auguste sank another three to send the game to the fourth quarter up 61-58.
• Four consecutive points in the fourth quarter by Ebony Griffin sealed the victory for St. Thomas as the Bobcats split the "Battle of Miami Gardens", winning round two, 75-72.

Inside the Numbers

• Griffin recorded 11 rebounds in the first half and completed her 12^th double-double of the season, just seven minutes into the third quarter.
• STU outscored FMU 20-19 off turnovers as the Bobcats capitalized off the Lions turnovers.
• The Bobcats were aggressive in transition, outscoring Florida Memorial 10-2 in fast break.

Bobcat Ballers

• Samara Auguste: 25 points, seven assists, six rebounds, 5-12 3PA
• Ebony Griffin: 18 points, 15 rebounds (12^th double-double)
• Keiana Brooks: 12 points, three assists, 6-11 FGA

Upcoming
St. Thomas will have their longest road-trip of the season this upcoming week, traveling to play both Thomas University and the College of Coastal Georgia in Sun Conference play. The first game of the road-trip will be on January 24^th against the Thomas University Nighthawks with tip-off scheduled for 5:00 p.m.