WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (January 28, 2023) – Regulation was not enough time for the St. Thomas University (STU) Women's Basketball team (17-6, 8-3 SUN) to make their historic comeback over Keiser University (13-11, 4-8 SUN). In an overtime thriller on Saturday afternoon, the Bobcats were able to come out yet again on top after facing a 21-point deficit in the second quarter.
 
Keiser got things started with a 6-0 run in the first minute and a half of play. A very slow start for the Bobcats saw them down by double digits early falling into a 14-point hole five minutes through the first quarter. A tough offensive outing in the first had the Seahawks leading 25-12 into the second quarter.
 
The second quarter was not as friendly again to the Bobcats as the fell to the largest deficit of the game at 21. Heading into the locker room it was Mya Moye that gave STU a little spark hitting a jumper and three-point basket on a fast break to help cut the Seahawk lead to 16.
 
Keiser shot 55-percent from the field and 61-percent from three banking eight behind the arc in the first half. The 44-points in the first half were the most allowed by the Bobcat defense this season. The 28-points scored was the lowest heading into halftime seeing that the Bobcats would have to have their biggest comeback this season.
 
Coming back from the locker rooms STU was a new team as the freshmen Paige McDonald began to set her presence in the paint and on defense. Senior duo Moye and Kasey Gagan tagged teamed up two score on three of the last five possessions to bring the game within single digits heading into the final frame.
 
The offense found the spark they have been longing for in a fourth quarter and at the perfect time. The 28-points against Keiser were the most in the final ten-minute frame this season. A full team effort was needed to finally get the scoreboard to flip, and that was exactly what got delivered.
 
On offensive rebound and put back from Thursday's hero, Marta Franco got the energy going. Gagan came up big on the defensive end with a block that landed in the hands of Brooke Bogatz who quickly reached the other end of the floor to deliver the fastbreak basket. Moye secured a steal, layup and the and-one free throw to make it three straight possessions with a basket for the Bobcats and cut it to a two-point battle.
 
Keiser missed one of two free throws that allowed Bogatz the chance to tie things up with a three-point basket delivered by none other than Moye with 4:24 on the clock. The Seahawks were able to get three straight offensive rebounds and regain the lead with a layup. This did not last long as Bogatz delivered another one from downtown to give STU their first lead of the game.
 
In a back and forth battle to the end the game seemed to be over and in the hands of the Bobcats after Kasey Gagan got a steal with seven seconds remaining and sinking in a free throw to make it 73-71. But Keiser would continue to make STU earn every bit of this contest hitting a buzzer beater layup off an offensive rebound from a block from McDonald.
 
The five-minute overtime period would erase the first 40-minutes of play giving both teams a clean slate. In the critical final minutes, it was the Seahawks to win the overtime tip and score the first basket. Bogatz quickly tied it back with a jumper. Another second chance opportunity gave KU the advantage once again. Two minutes of scoreless action went by and it was Keiser who pulled away with a four-point lead.
 
Bogatz once again stepped up to the plate and hit a clutch jumper in the following possession to keep the Bobcats in the fight. The freshmen McDonald had the biggest offensive rebound of the game enabling the putback layup that tied things up. With no timeouts remaining the Bobcats quickly fouled to send Ku to the charity stripe and try to quickly get possession back. The Seahawks were unable to secure the go-ahead free throws and Franco secured the rebound on the second miss and quickly moved up the floor to set up the final shot.
 
In reverse roles this game it was Franco who created the opportunity for Moye to hit the fade away baseline jumper to give STU the overtime victory with just one second on the clock. This gave STU their second road victory of the week, both in buzzer beater fashion. St. Thomas is now tied with Southeastern for second place in the Sun Conference.
 
Box Score Notables

• St. Thomas won the battle in the paint (42-28), points off turnovers (20-7), bench points (21-9), and fast break points (12-6).
• There were seven lead changes in the contest.
• The offense shot 50% from the field in the second half, 58% in the fourth quarter.
• St. Thomas is 6-1 on the road this season.

 
MVBobcats

• Mya Moye had a new career-high with 28-points. And hit the game winner.
• Brooke Bogatz – 17 points, 15 coming in the fourth quarter and overtime.
• Paige McDonald – 14 points, 13 rebounds, two blocks (third career double-double).
• Kasey Gagan – 15 points, four rebounds, three charges drawn, two blocks

 
Up Next
St. Thomas will host the Georgia schools next week at the Fernandez Family Center with Thomas on Thursday and Coastal Georgia on Saturday.