MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (January 10, 2024) - The St. Thomas University (STU) Women's Basketball team hosted Florida Memorial University for the first round of the Battle of Miami Gardens on Wednesday evening. Marta Franco led the charge for the Bobcats, contributing 19 points during the match up that resulted in a 80-61 victory over the Lions.

The Bobcats came to the Fernandez Family Center on Wednesday evening prepared for battle against their crosstown rivals. Franco kicked off the game with a three-pointer just 10 seconds into the match, assisted by Brooke Bogatz who went on to tally seven assists against the Lions. Bogatz kept the momentum, scoring six points and notching four assists in the first quarter. The Bobcats closed out the first quarter with a 10 point lead over the Lions, 24-14. 

The Bobcats kept the fire alive in quarter two. Franco went on to score nine more points, going 4-4 in field goals. Ra'Nae Tumblin was also a key player during the game, recording a double-double performance for the Bobcats. Tumblin put up five points in the second quarter, contributing to her total of 13, and added one rebound to her total of 10 for the game. The Bobcats maintained a double-digit lead over the Lions as they entered intermission, finishing quarter two with a score of 44-32.

The third quarter saw the Bobcats maintaining the lead, despite the Lions continuous fight. Sophie Vandyke and Bria Brown each added four points to the board for the Bobcats. St. Thomas kept a double digit lead as they entered the final quarter of the match, leading 57-45.

In the final quarter, the Bobcats saw continued standout performances from Tumblin, Franco, and Paige McDonald. Tumblin tacked on eight more points and three rebounds to her tally while McDonald put up eight points of her own, finishing the match up with 15 points in favor of the Bobcats. Franco also added five more points to her total of 19. Camila Flefill also picked up three assists in the final quarter. The Bobcats outscored the Lions in quarter four, 23-16. St. Thomas ultimately emerged victorious in the battle, defeating Florida Memorial 80-61.

This win brings the Bobcats' record to 12-3 overall this season and 2-0 in Sun Conference play. Next up, the Bobcats will head to Lake Wales, Fla. to face off against Warner University on Saturday, January 13th, at 2 p.m.