MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (December 15, 2022) – The Fernandez Family Center has been a witness to many great moments in its 12 years of existence. Another one was added to the list on Thursday afternoon with a win from the St. Thomas University Women's Basketball team (12-0). The victory over Mount Vernon Nazarene University (6-6) marked the 12^th win of the season, with that came two new records for Head Coach Candace Walker and the Bobcats.
 
The first record was that of the best start in program history, surpassing the 11-0 start by the 2012-13 team. The second record is a personal one for Coach Walker for longest win streak previously at 11 from November 29, 2018, to January 5, 2019.
 
Kasey Gagan set the standard early inside the paint driving in to get the first bucket of the contest. Brooke Bogatz would get the offense going knocking down a three for the lead and then driving in to pick up consecutive baskets to make it 15-11 and give STU the lead that would last the remainder of the game.
 
Connieya Bradford was giving STU second chance life collecting five offensive rebounds early and then laying it in to continue the dominance in the key. Mount Vernon Nazarene was able to keep things close in the first half leaving it 47-38 going into halftime. St. Thomas shot 40-percent from the field in the first half.
 
The third quarter was the breakaway for the Bobcats outscoring the Cougars 24-13. A 16-7 run in the first five minutes and five defensive stops boosted the momentum to start it. Bogatz had a big third quarter leading the way with seven points. The largest lead of the game was with 34-seconds remaining in the third at 71-49.
 
Mount Vernon did not give up winning the fourth quarter 29-18, this cut the Bobcat lead to single digits. St. Thomas dominated the paint points 40-24 in the game and scored 24 points off turnovers.  
 
The Bobcats are one of four teams in the country with 12 of more wins. St. Thomas is also outscoring opponents by 122 points in the first quarter, winning 11-of-12 this season. This marks the sixth straight game the offense has scored over 80-points.
 
St. Thomas will be back in action at the West Palm Beach Invitational against no.23 Saint Francis with tip-off scheduled at 3 p.m. from the Countess de Hoernle Student Life Center on the campus of Keiser University.