CHICAGO, Ill. — The St. Thomas University Bobcats women's basketball team suffered its first loss of the season on Monday, falling 89-84 to the Saint Xavier University Cougars on the road.
The Bobcats received a standout performance from Isabella Rivera, who led all St. Thomas scorers with 25 points and 11 rebounds, recording a double-double. Nuria Estrade also delivered a strong offensive showing, finishing with 22 points while knocking down four three-pointers.
Saint Xavier established an early advantage, scoring 26 points in the opening quarter to take a lead into the second period. The Cougars continued their offensive production in the second quarter, adding 25 points to build a 51-35 halftime advantage.
St. Thomas responded after the break, finding its rhythm offensively and scoring 19 points in the third quarter. The Bobcats continued to battle in the final period, putting up 30 points to make a late push, but the Cougars held on to secure the five-point victory.
Rivera's efficient shooting helped fuel the Bobcats' comeback effort, as she finished 10-of-18 from the field and connected on three three-pointers. Estrade added eight field goals, including four from beyond the arc, while Jaliyah Weekes contributed 13 points off the bench. Weekes also recorded four assists and four steals, providing a defensive spark for the Bobcats.
Ivet Calaza contributed six points and eight rebounds, while Samantha Bautista added six points, including a three-pointer. The Bobcats finished the contest shooting 44.8% from the field and 37.5% from three-point range, connecting on nine shots from beyond the arc.
Saint Xavier was led by Brooklynn Johnson and Veronica Bafia, who each scored 24 points. Johnson also collected 11 rebounds, while Laken LePage added 19 points off the bench to help the Cougars maintain their lead.
Despite the loss, St. Thomas showed resilience in the second half, outscoring Saint Xavier 49-38 after halftime. The Bobcats also finished with 39 rebounds and 15 assists, continuing to compete until the final buzzer.
The defeat marks the first loss of the season for St. Thomas as the Bobcats continue their road trip in Chicago. The team will look to regroup and respond in its next game against the University of St. Francis tomorrow, October 27, at 7pm CT (8pm ET)
