MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (February 11, 2023) - Something special is brewing inside of the St. Thomas University (STU) Women's Basketball (21-6, 12-3) locker room. The Bobcats have once again caught fire and it starts with the efforts of the senior class. With three of the five starters being seniors, the leadership on the team has been next level.
Five seniors were celebrated inside the Fernandez Family Center Gym on Saturday afternoon in Jayde Johnson, Connieya Bradford, Madison Sjogreen, Kasey Gagan, and Mya Moye. Bradford, Sjogreen, and Gagan being named team captains this year along with junior Bria Brown.
This game had so much weight in securing a first round bye in the Sun Conference Tournament, while also getting a bad taste out from the overtime loss on the road earlier this season. The Bobcats were ready to face everything straight in against Ave Maria and secure their spot.
That was exactly what they did.
In a slow first half for both teams, St. Thomas was able to come out on top and with the first two quarters. This gave them the lead at the half at 31-28. Moye had 12 points in the first half, seven in the first quarter.
Coming back from the half the offense caught fire for both teams as Ave Maria's was able to make the come back and tie it up during the third and eventually take the lead. Heading into the final frame St. Thomas would have to keep the game close and cut the Gyrene momentum.
They did just that in the fourth.
Bringing the high-press defense forces multiple turnover and fast break pints for the Bobcats. As a speciality, the full court press is something that Coach Walker has instilled in her style of play that makes it very difficult for teams to break through.
The pressure worked with a 26-point fourth, a game high for either side. While the defense only allowed 13-points. Gagan led all scoring with 19-points and being down eight boards. Brooke Bogatz and Moye knock down 17-points each. Paige McDonald was a basket away from a double-double with 11-rebounds and eight-points.
St. Thomas has now secured a first-round bye as the regular-season runner-up. Florida Memorial clinched the first seed, ensuring that the tournament trophy will be raised in Miami Gardens. St. Thomas will travel to Webber International next Saturday, February 18, to close out regular season play.
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