MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (October 24, 2020) - St. Thomas University (STU) Women's Basketball (1-0) opened the 2020-21 campaign with a 76-61 win over Johnson University (Fla.) on Saturday evening from the Fernandez Family Center. 

Bobcat Starters

• Patricia Martinez - Sanz
• Kayla Rodriguez
• Samaria August
• Gianni Domond
• Chrystal Pressley

Game Notes

• After winning the opening tip-off, Pressley scored the first points of her STU career, getting the Bobcats on the board with a lay-up.
• Freshman point guard, Brook Bogatz, netted the first points of her collegiate career in the first quarter, making a three-pointer to extend the St. Thomas lead to 7-1. 
• Rodriguez added her first points of the season, adding a three of her own to give STU a 12-5 lead in the final minute of the first quarter. 
• Johnson quickly took their first lead in the game, in the opening minute of the second quarter, rallying for a quick, 6-0 run to lead, 13-12. 
• Rodriguez and August halted the Sun's rally by knocking down a jumper and a three-pointer, respectively, putting the Bobcats back in front, 17-13.
• STU ran off a remarkable, 26-0 run, holding Johnson University scoreless for seven minutes. The Bobcat run was led by Rodriguez, who scored 12 of her 17-points, during the stretch.
• The Bobcats went into the halftime break leading 43-20. 
• JU began the second half on an 8-0 run, but August ended the run by hitting consecutive free throws. 
• Domond and Connieya Bradford contributed nine consecutive points for STU to put the Bobcats ahead 54-31.
• Renice Dacres hit a last-second lay-up to end the third quarter with St. Thomas leading 58-37.
• Johnson was able to cut the STU lead to 14, 63-49, with 7:05 remaining in the fourth quarter.
• The two teams traded baskets, and JU cut the deficit to 12, 67-55, with four minutes remaining in the game. 
• August hit the dagger three-pointer, putting St. Thomas in front 74-59 with one minute remaining.
• The Bobcats closed out the final minute with August adding another lay-up, earning a 76-61 win on opening night. 

MVBobcats

• Kayla Rodriguez: 17-points (tied career-high), seven rebounds, 2-4 3PA
• Samaria August: 15-points, 2-6 3PA
• Patricia Martinez - Sanz: 10-points, five rebounds

Upcoming

St. Thomas travels to West Palm Beach, Fla. to take on Bryan College (TN.) in non-conference action on Friday, October 30. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m.