Miami Gardens Fla. – Opening 2026 with their first home Sun Conference contest of the season on Saturday afternoon, the St. Thomas University Women's Basketball team fended off visiting College of Coastal Georgia in an 83-79 victory.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: St. Thomas 83, Coastal Georgia 79
Records: St. Thomas (9-5, 3-1 Sun Conference), Coastal Georgia (11-4, 2-2 Sun Conference)
Records: STU leads 16-4

HOW IT HAPPENED:
·         After splitting the opening 16 points of the contest, the Bobcats scored 10-straight to create an early double-digit lead at 18-8 with 2:06 remaining in the frame. Coastal Georgia got within six at 20-14 before a STU triple at the buzzer made it 23-14.
·         The Mariners made it a one-point game off an 8-0 start to the second quarter, but were held without another run until four-straight points made it 34-31 in favor of the host with 2:44 left in the half. STU held onto the lead, going into the intermission ahead 37-36.
·         The Bobcats held CCGA to two free throws over the opening four minutes of the third quarter, scoring 15 during the stretch to boast a 52-38 lead. Coastal Georgia cut the lead to single digits at 54-45, heading into the final 10 minutes trailing 63-57.
·         Coastal Georgia rallied to make it a one-point game at 71-70 with 3:17 remaining before four-straight by the Bobcats pushed the advantage up to 75-50. The visitors made it a one-possession game at 79-77 and again at 81-79 with the Bobcats countering with a basket to create separation each time to secure the win.

 
NOTEWORTHY:
·         Ja'Nya Ferguson paced the offense behind 15 points on 5-7 shooting, adding six rebounds and two steals.
·         Joey Delancy added 14 points, four assists and two blocks.
·         Maddie Scharrenberg chipped in 12 points.
·         Taylor Morgan tallied 12 points.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
·         STU went 27-65 from the field, 4-21 from beyond the arc and 25-31 from the free throw line. Coastal Georgia went 25-73, 10-32 from three-point range and 19-24 from the free throw line.
·         CCGA held a 48-43 advantage in rebounds.
·         The Bobcats forced 25 turnovers, resulting in 22 points. The visitors scored 25 points off 20 turnovers.
·         STU recorded 14 steals and three blocks versus 12 steals and three blocks for the visitors.
 
UP NEXT:
The Bobcats conclude their six-game homestand on Tuesday, Jan. 6 against the University of Fort Lauderdale with tip-off slated for 2:00 pm.