MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (January 14, 2023) – Taking things one game at a time, the St. Thomas University (STU) Women's Basketball team (15-5, 6-2 SUN) got back on track with a much-needed win against Webber International University (5-13, 2-6 SUN) on Saturday afternoon. The matinee match-up took place from the Fernandez Family Center Gym as STU closed it out with a 80-75 victory.
 
After a great start to the season at 14-0, the Bobcats hit a plateau dropping five straight, four of which came from being back from the break. This win puts them back into the top two of the Sun Conference standings tied with Ave Maria and Warner.
 
The first quarter set the tone for what was going to be a good game as both team's offense was hot scoring 21 points each. Five straight possessions were shared among the teams, all resulting in a basket made. St. Thomas was able to force a Webber turnover which led to a Mya Moye three to gain their first lead of the game. The Bobcats would hold the lead until the final 33-seconds where the Warriors tied it up with a jumper.
 
Webber was able to regain the lead with a three-pointer as their first basket of the second quarter. The scoreboard would tilt once again as Kasey Gagan drove to the paint and laid one in for a one-point advantage. Gagan would also make the final three-point dagger with 41 seconds remaining in the first half to send the game into halftime with a four-point Bobcat advantage.
 
St. Thomas would have a strong third gaining their biggest advantage of the game at a double-digit lead. Scoring 18 points in the first six minutes, the Bobcats were able to spread the score for a 12-point difference. Connieya Bradford would lead the way in the paint with seven of the 18 points. However, Webber would not go away easy returning with a 14-4 run to end the third and send the game into the final frame just down two-points.
 
The Bobcats would dominate the boards in the fourth with a 16-5 advantage, six of which were on the offensive end and more than Webber's quarter total. The Warriors were able to keep the momentum from the third and score the first basket of the fourth to tie this one up and make the final nine minutes of the contest crucial. An and-one from Gagan stopped the Warrior rush and turned the tables back to the home bench. Moye then knocked down a three and had the FFC fans up on their feet. Brooke Bogatz added a three to put this one away with a seven-point gap. Marta Franco put the game away knocking down two key free-throws with 11-seconds left.
 
Box Score Notables

• Kasey Gagan recorded her second double-double of the season with 22 points and 15 rebounds. This marked a career-high In rebounds for Gagan and tied a season high in points.
• The Bobcats outrebounded the Warriors 52-26.
• St. Thomas had three of five starters in double-figures (Gagan 22, Moye 19, Bradford 15)

 
Up Next
St. Thomas will host the Battle of Miami Gardens, round two as they restart the second half of conference play on Saturday, January 21 with tip-off set for 2 p.m.