The St. Thomas Aquinas College men's basketball team captured its sixth straight win, an 82-73 non-conference victory over Holy Family University at Aquinas Hall. The Spartans have now won 11-of-12 overall, all in East Region action, improving to 11-3 on the season while Holy Family dropped to 1-9.

Irwayne "JR" Connell stepped up with a career-high 22 points - including 4-of-6 from beyond the arc - to go with five rebounds and five blocks to lead STAC. Mekhi Bryant stood out for the visiting Tigers with a game-high 32 points.

Bryant gave Holy Family a quick lead with a hoop in the first minute, but James Mitchell answered with a three to touch off a 14-3 STAC run for a lead they would not relinquish. Jalen Thompson hit a pair from the line as an 8-0 Tiger run trimmed the gap to 21-16, but Connell's late three-point play helped stake St. Thomas Aquinas to a 40-27 advantage at halftime.

With several players in foul trouble, Connell came through with a pair of treys and Kam Murrell added another as STAC expanded that lead to as many as 25 points at 68-43 before cruising down the stretch to secure the win. Mitchell added 13 points while Kevin Lynch led the Spartans with eight rebounds. Terrell Jones recorded 13 for the Tigers, with Jalen Thompson chipping in 12 points and a game-high nine boards.

The Spartans will return to action on Saturday, December 30, hosting Adelphi University in a non-conference contest starting at 2:00 pm.