The St. Thomas Aquinas College men's basketball team suffered its first loss of the season, an 85-80 East Coast Conference defeat at the University of the District of Columbia. STAC is now 10-1 on the season and, 5-1 in conference play, with UDC at 5-5, 3-1. The setback was the Spartans first against a conference foe in nearly one year, with the last one coming on December 19, 2015, vs. LIU Post.

UDC jumped to an early 11-5 lead, but the Spartans answered with a 15-3 run to grab a 20-14 edge. The Firebirds trailed by as many as 10 but rallied to take a 42-40 lead, but Jon Lawton's floater in the final minute put the visitors back on top by a 44-42 count after 20 minutes.

Reggie Sidbury's early three gave the Firebirds a lead that the hosts would expand to 58-50 with 15 minutes left. Jon Lawton's trey capped a 9-0 STAC run for a 78-73 lead with 4:13 left, but foul trouble would take its toll as James Mitchell and Justin Reyes fouled out and the Firebirds capitalized with a 12-2 run to close out the victory. UDC was prolific from the line, shooting 31-for-41 (75%), with the Spartans going 13-for-19 (68%). STAC owned a 43-36 edge on the glass, but shot an uncharastically-cold 14% (3-21) from beyond the arc.

The Spartans will now enjoy the holiday break before returning to action on Thursday, December 29, traveling to face U of the Sciences in a non-conference tilt. They return to Aquinas Hall on New Year's Eve, Saturday, December 31, for a big regional showdown with Bloomfield College.

The St. Thomas Aquinas College Department of Athletics wishes you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Joyous Holiday Season!