First Quarter Outburst Boosts STAC to 6th Straight Win, 93-50 over Concordia

First Quarter Outburst Boosts STAC to 6th Straight Win, 93-50 over Concordia

The St. Thomas Aquinas College women's basketball team exploded for a 93-50 triumph over Concordia College in a non-conference game at Aquinas Hall. The victory was the 6th straight for the Spartans, who are now 9-1 overall while Concordia dropped to 2-8 on the season.

STAC literally controlled the game from the opening tip, with Julia Winnik drilling a three-pointer just five seconds into the contest, full-court pressure forcing a turnover and a made jumper by Emily Preston and STAC had a 5-0 lead in the first 49 seconds. Winnick's second of the game made the tally 13-2 with 7:32 left in the quarter, and a pair of Zaria Thomas threes keyed a 19-0 explosion that gave the hosts an incredible 32-4 chasm with 3:26 still to go.

By the time Winnik added another jumper in the final seconds, the Spartans enjoyed a comfortable 41-8 lead at the first intermission, all but securing the result. Even without facing full court pressure in the second, the Clippers did not hit their first field goal until Sara Hopkins converted from deep with 3:49 to play in the half, as STAC forced 19 turnovers in opening a 63-18 gap at the break, cruising to victory from there.

Four STAC players hit for double-figures as all 12 players to see action made the scoresheet. Thomas and Winnik registered 14 each despite seeing limited playing time, Ruth Adams scored 11 and Emily Preston added 10. Nicole Nicholson tied for game high with 14 to lead Concordia as the visitors were outrebounded on the day by a 47-32 count.

The Spartans hit the road on Wednesday to take on Merrimack College in a 5:00 pm start, then close out the calendar year hosting Pace at 1:00 on Saturday, December 30. They return to East Coast Conference action by ringing in the new year against the University of the District of Columbia on January 2, 2019, with double-header action starting at 5:30 pm.