The St. Thomas Aquinas women's basketball team lost to Dowling College, 54-43.  Leane Urbancik had 13 points and 10 rebounds while Shpresa Liharevic had 11 points for STAC.  Briana Sloper added 8 points while Natalie Catavero had 6. 

Dowling got off to a strong start going ahead, 21-9 with 7:10 to go in the first half.   The Lady Spartans closed the half with a 9-2 run to pull within six, 28-22.  Catavero opened the second half with a 3-pointer bringing STAC within three, 28-25. 

Julia Koppl drained three 3-pointers in the early portion of the second half to put the Golden Lions ahead, 41-29.  STAC struggled on the offensive end shooting 24.6 percent for the game and 22.2 percent from behind the arc.  The Lions shot 40 percent from downtown including 4-7 from Koppl who finished with 13.  Connie Simmons added 14 points for Dowling including 7-7 from the foul line. 

STAC outrebounded the Lions, 40-37 including 17 offensive rebounds.  Sloper added 7 rebounds for STAC and Theresa Dowling had 6. 

The Lady Spartans will travel to Mercy College on Wednesday for a 5:30 game.