The St. Thomas Aquinas College men's basketball team earned its fourth straight win, an 86-72 triumph in an East Coast Conference game at the University of the District of Columbia. Chaz Watler led the way with 17 points. The Spartans close out the first half of their ECC schedule on a roll, with nine wins in their last 12 games in improving to 11-8 overall and 8-2 in conference action, dropping UDC to 3-14, 3-6.

STAC continues to battle among the top squads in conference play and has moved into a virtual tie for first in the ECC Standings, pending results of other games tonight. For full ECC Standings, click here.

Showing no ill effects from the long bus ride south, the Spartans charged off to a strong start on the strength of Sam Berlin's seven early points in grabbing a 12-4 lead. The Firebirds reeled off the next seven points to draw within one, but an Aaron Cust layup with just under eight minutes to play in the half put STAC on top by a 30-20 margin, and that gap would swell to 13 points before the Spartans settled for a 44-34 halftime lead.

UDC chipped away after the break, drawing to within seven points on four different occasions, the last of which was 59-52 at the midway point of the second half. They would get no closer, however, as Justin Reyes took charge with three big baskets over the next 68 seconds, which combined with a Cust free throw to open a 66-52 bulge. The Firebirds would show one last spark, with Kory Cooley's trey giving the hosts hope at 72-64 with 4:55 to play, but STAC would attack with the next six points to quash any thoughts of a comeback.

Joining Watler among the four Spartans in double-figures were Berlin (13 points), Reyes (12) and Shaq McFarlan (11). Quasim Jones gave UDC a chance with a game-high 20 points, and was aided by 15 from teammate Geran Pope. STAC shot a stellar 53% from the field (32-60) and took care of the ball, with just two first-half turnovers and six for the entire game.

After playing - and winning - four games in a span of seven days, the Spartans will earn a much needed break before traveling to Connecticut for a showdown with the University of Bridgeport on Wednesday, January 28. They will return to Aquinas Hall three days later, hosting Dowling College as the back end of a double-header following the women's contest on Saturday, January 31.