The St. Thomas Aquinas College Spartans captured a 119-77 victory over Mercy College in their 2021 Home Opener at Aquinas Hall. The Spartans are now 2-0 overall and 2-0 in East Coast Conference play, while it was Mercy's first game of the season.

Playing in their first home game in 343 days and coming off Wednesday's 92-76 victory at Molloy College, the Spartans took charge early as Grant Singleton scored the game's first five points to stake his team to a 7-0 lead for the second consecutive game. Garrett Kirkland's 3-pointer brought the Mavericks to within 12-8 four minutes into action, but STAC unleashed a 22-8 barrage from there - with Singleton adding eight of those points - to open a 34-16 gap just past the midway point of the half.

Singleton posted 21 points by intermission and Osbel Caraballo added 10 as the Spartans established a comfortable 64-28 margin at the break and never looked back. Mercy did establish some offensive rhythm with 49 second half points, paced by freshman Kerwin Prince's game-high 28 point debut. STAC would not be denied, however, as Singleton saw scarce action in the second half to end with those 21 points and Caraballo finished with 16.

Elijah Bovell - playing his first game as a Spartan after transferring from Queens College, where he was a Second Team All-ECC standout - was impressive with 18 points, while Antonio Vendola (12 points), Kaylen Oweh (11), and Jamal Barnes (11) contributed to STAC's highest offensive outburst since a 124-76 home win over LIU Post on February 9, 2019. STAC shot a torrid 56% (14-of-25) from beyond the arc, with six players accounting for two or more three-balls.

These teams return to Aquinas Hall rematch - please note that, due to the predicted snow in the forecast, Sunday's game will now be played on Monday, February 8 at 7pm. The Spartans will then host Bloomfield in another rescheduled contest at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, February 9.