SHERMAN, Texas - The Austin College women's basketball team came up just short against visiting St. Thomas on Friday evening, as the Celts outscored the 'Roos by a combined seven points in the second and third quarters and that proved to be the difference in a 63-58 final margin.

Austin College jumped out to an early lead and finished the opening quarter leading 16-14, but St. Thomas grabbed a 19-18 lead early in the second. The lead changed hands multiple times over the course of the period, and the 'Roos pushed back on top 28-25 on a pair of Grace Moothart free throws with 2:10 left before the break. However, the Celts would close the half with a 7-2 run to head into the break leading 32-30. 

After falling behind 37-30 early in the third, the 'Roos scored nine straight and a Sarah Putnicki basket put them back on top 39-37 with 5:24 left but a Taytum Poppe three gave the Celts a 44-41 lead with 1:44 left and UST would finish the quarter with a 46-41 lead. Austin College once again came back to square things up at 50 apiece on a bucket by Lauren Traylor early in the fourth, but Ravyn Ellis knocked down a trey at the 7:00 mark and the Celts would not relinquish their lead again.

Putnicki and Naomi Anamekwe each scored 12 points to lead the 'Roos, with Anamekwe adding 13 boards and four assists while Putnicki chipped in seven rebounds and three assists. Sarah Gwin added nine points and five assists and Traylor chipped in nine points off the bench. Ellis led all scorers with 27 points for the Celts.