Briana Sloper broke through with 15 of her game-high 22 points in the second half to lead the St. Thomas Aquinas College women's basketball team to a come-from-behind 67-62 victory over Southern Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon at Aquinas Hall in Sparkill. Sloper also grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds and Shpresa Liharevic added 20 as STAC improved to 2-2 overall, while the Owls stand at 1-1.

The first-ever meeting of these two programs was a wild back-and-forth affair, with the sides trading double-digit first half leads. The Lady Spartans bolted from the gate, scoring the first 10 points in what became a game of runs. Southern Connecticut answered with a 15-3 tear and STAC regained the edge by running off the next eight straight for a 21-15 lead.

Southern turned up the tempo, however, setting the stage for a stunning 24-3 barrage and putting the hosts on their heels and in a 15-point hole. The Lady Spartans trailed, 39-27 at the break, but after some locker room adjustments they responded for a stronger second half.

Sloper, who accounted for seven points and just one rebound in the first 20 minutes, exploded in the second half and STAC hit all 11 free throws in the stanza to pace the comeback. With the score tied at 55-55, Sylvia Davis broke the deadlock with two straight lay-ups and Sloper added another, establishing a lead they would not relinquish.

Bianca Kowgios supported the offense with 10 points and five assists, while Kim Vareles pulled down seven boards and provided some huge defensive trips down the stretch. Southern Connecticut was paced by Sylvonia Moore, who totled 19 points but just four in the second half, and Shaniqua Fuller, who had all 10 of her points before halftime.

With two straight home victories under their belt, the Lady Spartans will return to action this Tuesday, November 22, as Goldey Beacom College takes the trip up the turnpike to Aquinas Hall, with tip-off set for 5:30 pm. The game will be carried live on New Media Television Sports, so if you can't make it to be part of the raucous Aquinas Hall Edge in person, you can catch all the action on your own computer screen as Steve Balsan provides the play-by-play and John Dwinell provides the analysis. Just follow the link on the team schedule page.