The St. Thomas Aquinas College men's basketball team rode a dominant second half to a 90-68 East Coast Conference victory at Roberts Wesleyan College. Justin Reyes was a force with game highs of 27 points and 10 rebounds as the Spartans won their fourth straight to improve to 10-4 overall and 4-2 in the ECC, while RWC dropped to 4-7, 1-4.

Despite the final score, it was the host Redhawks who owned the first half. The hosts recorded the game's first five points, and while STAC drew within a field goal, Roberts never trailed while enjoying a first half lead of as many as 10 points at 30-20 on Tyrel Dixon's trey with just under eight minutes left.

Reyes and Aaron Cust combined to provide all the scoring in a 9-4 Spartan run, trimming the mark to 38-34 before RWC carried a 47-41 advantage at the break.

The second half was a reversal of fortune as STAC dominated, outscoring RWC by a 42-12 margin over a 16-minute span to cruise to the eventual victory. The Spartans tied the score early but did not break on top until Ross Greenfield's hoop made the score 54-52 with 15:36 left. From there, the visitors assumed control, with a 16-0 run punctuating their dominant final flurry.

Among the five STAC scorers in double-figures were Chaz Watler (11 points), Shaq McFarlan (11), James Mitchell (10) and Jonathan Lawton (10) as their team shot a stellar 64% from the field (37-58). Mike Stone led the Redhawks with 13 points, but it was not enough as his team was rebounded by a decisive 41-17 total.

The Spartans return to action in another ECC battle at Mercy College on Tuesday, January 12, before returing to Aquinas Hall to host the University of the District of Columbia on Thursday, January 14.

- Steve Balsan, St. Thomas Aquinas Sports Information