MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (October 30, 2024) - The St. Thomas University (STU) Women's Basketball team hosted Florida National University for their season opener on Wednesday evening. Katrina Litte made her Bobcat debut, leading the team with 19 points with returners Ra'Nae Tumblin and Sophie Vandyke following closely behind. 

Sarei McGill put the Bobcats on the board first, followed by a three-pointer from Tumblin to put the Bobcats up five. Tumblin went on to score six points in the first quarter leading the charge for the Bobcats. Litte and Vandyke also contributed to the lead in quarter one, Litte with five points and Vandyke with four. Tumblin also picked up three assists in the first quarter while Vandyke picked up three rebounds. The Bobcats had a successful first quarter, going 50.0% from beyond the arc with a 56.3% total field goal percentage. The Bobcats led against the Conquistadors, 21-15 heading into quarter two.

The Conquistadors attempted to mount a comeback in quarter two, putting up 24 points. The Bobcats followed suit, putting up 22 points, and keeping the lead. Litte added seven points to her tally, going 2-2 from beyond the arc and 1-1 from the free throw line. Tumblin also added six points and two more assists, while Vandyke added three more rebounds and four points. The Bobcats held the lead, heading into the halftime break with a score of 43-39.

The Bobcats continued to extend their lead in the second half, holding the Conquistadors to just nine points in quarter three while adding 29 to their own tally. Maddie Scharrenberg took charge in the third, putting up 11 points. Jaliyah Weekes entered off the bench, putting up four points of her own. The Bobcats led 72-48 heading into the final quarter of play. 

Florida National kept the fight alive in the last quarter, putting up 16 points, but they were unable to take the lead. Litte added seven more points, finishing the match up with 19 points. Vandyke, Tumblin, and Scharrenberg each finished with double digit points, Vandyke with 17, Tumblin with 16, and Scharrenberg with 11. Vandyke also had 11 rebounds, making this her first double-double performance of the season. The Bobcats ultimately defeated the Conquistadors 83-64, bringing their record to 1-0 to start the season.

Up next, the Bobcats will host LSU-Alexandria on Thursday, November 7th at 5:30 p.m. at the Fernandez Family Center.