Stifling Defense Leads 'Roos Past St. Thomas

SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College women's basketball team limited St. Thomas to 2-of-18 shooting from long distance and 28.6% shooting overall as the 'Roos topped the Celts 70-51 on Friday evening in Hughey Gym. The 'Roos are now 8-13 overall and 7-6 in SCAC competition.

St. Thomas came out hot to open the game, building an 13-2 lead in the opening minutes before Austin College started to clamp down on their way to a 16-14 lead after the first. Austin College went into halftime leading 30-26 as Natalie McCoy beat the buzzer to grow the lead to four points. McCoy would again beat the horn in the third, this time drilling a three as time expired in the quarter to make it 50-40, and Austin College would cruise from there, out-scoring the Celts 20-11 in the final 10 minutes of action.

Austin College forced St. Thomas into 16 turnovers and made the most of those opportunities, converting those giveaways into 20 points. The 'Roos also out-scored St. Thomas 23-17 from the free throw line and shot 40.4% from the field as a team. Kacie West led all scorers with 20 points, hitting 6-of-11 shots overall and 3-of-5 from three point range while adding four steals in the win. West is now shooting 57.7% from three point distance in five games in February.

McCoy was 7-of-11 from the floor, finishing with 18 points and five rebounds, and Sarah Gwin chipped in 10 points and three assists. The 'Roos also got 10 points and six rebounds off the bench from Naomi Anamekwe, who made 4-of-5 shots in the game. Olivia Anga led St. Thomas with 15 points and eight rebounds.