MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (January 20, 2024) - The (RV) St. Thomas University (STU) Women's Basketball team faced Ave Maria University on Saturday afternoon, competing for the Sun Conference number one spot. The Bobcats tipped off against the Gyrenes, and with Brooke Bogatz' double-double performance leading the charge, they won the match up 59-54. 

The first quarter opened with Bria Brown notching a three-pointer seconds after tip off. She kept the momentum, putting up two more in quarter one. Bogatz was also on the prowl for St. Thomas, scoring 13 points in the first and notching six rebounds. The Bobcats were able to hold the Gyrenes to the single digits in the first, outscoring them 21-8.  

Quarter two played out similarly, Bogatz putting up five more points and three more rebounds. Paige McDonald entered the game, recording three rebounds of her own.The Bobcats once again only allowed the Gyrenes to score in the single digits, outscoring them 12-9, bringing the total score to 33-17 as they entered halftime. 

The third quarter saw a standout performance from Sophie Vandyke who recorded six points and notched six rebounds. Bogatz put up two more points, putting her total at 20 points for the game. She also put up two more rebounds to make her total 12, and two assists. The Bobcats held a 21-point lead against the Gyrenes as they entered the final quarter.  

St. Thomas kept the lead into quarter four, despite Ave Maria outscoring them 17-10. Brown added three more points to her tally, finishing the game in the double digits with 10 points. McDonald and Madison Lippy notched two rebounds each, McDonald ending the game with a total of seven. The Bobcats ultimately defeated the Gyrenes 59-44, putting them in the lead of the Sun Conference with an overall record of 14-4 and a conference record of 4-1. 

Up next, the Bobcats will head to Keiser University to face the Seahawks for the first time this season. This game will take place on Wednesday, January 24th at 5:30 p.m. 

-STU-