MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (January 31^st, 2019) – (RV) St. Thomas University Women's Basketball team (19-5, 11-2 TSC) defeated crosstown opponent, Johnson & Wales University (6-16, 3-11 TSC) 78-67 in Sun Conference action on Thursday evening from the Fernandez Family Center.

Bobcat Starters: Samara Auguste (G), Keiana Brooks (G), Anari Dozier (G) Jaddah Knight (F), Ebony Griffin (F)
Wildcat Starters: JoNae Gonzales-Smith (G), Tianna Ayulo (G), Lexie Jackson (G), Jordan McDuffie (F), Alexis McClain (F)

Game Notes

• Sun Conference Player of the Week, Samara Auguste made an early three-pointer to give the Bobcats an early 3-0 lead over the Wildcats.
• Ebony Griffin and Jaddah Knight continued to be a presence in the paint for STU, scoring six consecutive points to give St. Thomas a five-point lead at 11-6
• With two minutes remaining in the first quarter, Auguste added a lay-up to give the Bobcats their largest lead of the first quarter at 19-10.
• JWU scored the opening bucket in the second quarter, which was followed by a Destiny Wilson three-pointer to give STU back their seven-point advantage.
• Keiana Brooks gave St. Thomas their largest lead of the first half at 11-points, as the junior added a lay-up to give STU a 28-17 lead with six minutes remaining.
• STU went into the halftime break with a six-point advantage, leading JWU, 35-29.
• The Wildcats took their first lead of the game with four minutes in the third quarter, 48-49, which was quickly reclaimed by the Bobcats following a Knight lay-up.
• STU went into the final quarter of play with a 60-59 lead over JWU.
• JWU added an early bucket in the fourth quarter to take their final lead of the game before Brooks tied the game at the charity stripe at 61-61.
• Anari Dozier converted an "and-one" to give STU a commanding nine-point advantage, 74-65, with under three minutes remaining in the contest.
• Dozier sealed the 78-67 victory at the free throw line, sinking both attempts from the charity stripe in the final minute of the game.

Box Score Notables

• St. Thomas outscored Johnson & Wales in the paint 14-8 in the first quarter and lead the entire quarter.
• STU outscored JWU, 43-38, in the second half of the Sun Conference match-up.
• The Bobcats finished the game shooting 50% from the field.
• St. Thomas has now won 16-of-17 games, dating back to November 29^th, 2018.

Bobcat Ballers
Keiana Brooks: 18 points (season-high), 7-12 FGA, four assists
Ebony Griffin: 15 points, two rebounds
Jaddah Knight: 14 points, 6-6 FTA

Upcoming
St. Thomas travels to West Palm Beach to take on Keiser University on February 2^nd, with tip-off scheduled for 2:00 p.m. The Bobcats defeated the Seahawks, 84-76, in the first match-up of the season on December 6^th.
-STU-