MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (February 27^th, 2019) – St. Thomas University Women's Basketball team is headed to Sioux City, Iowa to compete in the NAIA National Tournament for the sixth time in program history, following a 21-9 regular season and conference tournament.

In Head Coach Candace Walker's two seasons leading the Bobcats, the team has gone to the National Tournament in both seasons, as Walker has compiled a 42-19 record. Last season, STU was defeated in the first round, losing to two-time defending National Champions, Marian University (Ind.).

Coach Walker and staff led the Bobcats to a runner-up finish in the Sun Conference, going 13-5 in TSC play, and the team is preparing for the challenges that the National Tournament brings. Walker stated "We are honored to represent the Sun Conference in this year's National Tournament… to be able to compete for a National Championship for the second year in a row is a testament to the dedication and countless hours that our players and coaches' have worked this season"

"Last year's tournament appearance was the first appearance for all of our players and we were matched up against a very talented, Marian team. We came up short, however, the heart and the toughness we showed was remarkable." Walker added "I am hoping that we can take our experiences from last season's tournament trip and allow it to fuel us for this year's tournament… this is an opportunity of a lifetime, one that we are grateful to have and we are looking forward to it."

St. Thomas is led by two-time All-Conference and 2018-19 Sun Conference Player of the Year, Samara Auguste, and First-Team All-Conference team-member, Ebony Griffin.

Auguste was the Bobcats leader in: points, assists and steals; as the senior averaged 18.4 points-per-game, 4.57 assists-per-game and 2.57 steals-per-game. Auguste was recognized as the Sun Conference Player of the Year at the Sun Conference Tournament Banquet on February 21^st.

Griffin was a "double-double" machine for STU this season, recording a team-high fourteen performances. The senior averaged 13.5-p.p.g. and 10.3-rebounds-per-game.

St. Thomas heads into the National Tournament as an eight-seed and will take on defending National Champion, Dakota Wesleyan, on Thursday, March 7th, with tip-off scheduled for 12:00 p.m. (Central Tme) Information on this year's NAIA National Tournament can be found here

Watch the tournament
Bracket

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