The St. Thomas Aquinas women's basketball team fell to Dowling, 51-47 in last nights ECC play-off game. STAC received 14 points and 13 rebounds from sophomore Briana Sloper while freshman Leane Urbancik added 12 points and 11 rebounds.
STAC opened the game with a three pointer from senior Colleen Vogel before falling behind 8-5 at the 12:56 mark. Theresa Dowling made two free throws and Urbancik added a layup to regain the lead for STAC 9-8 with 12:04 to go in the half. Dowling took control with a three-pointer from senior Janika Sundstrom putting then back on top, 13-11. Sloper scored a layup at the 6:16 mark to tie the game and a free throw from Bianca Kowgios gave STAC back the lead. The Lady Spartan took a 20-17 lead into the break.
STAC held onto it's single digit lead for the majority of the second half. Urbancik's layup with 14:48 on the clock put STAC ahead by six, 30-24. Sloper scored back to back layups in response to baskets by the Golden Lions. Urbancik had another bucket in the paint to give STAC a 46-42 lead with 2:40 left in the game however STAC did not score another field goal. Freshman Connie Simmons scored five unanswered points giving Dowling a 47-46 lead with two minutes remaining. Sloper made the first of two free throws to tie the game up 47-47 with 1:00 left on the clock. Senior Simona Bartkova drained two free throws with :37 seconds left on the clock. The Lady Spartans missed a layup in traffic and were forced to foul on the final possession. Senior Christie Marrone drained two free throws to give Dowling a 51-47 lead and seal the win.
The Lady Spartans received 10 rebounds from junior Theresa Dowling as STAC outrebounded Dowling 46-32. The Lady Spartans struggled from the floor shooting 29.3 percent to Dowlings 32.1 percent.
STAC finished their season with a final record of 15-13.