The St. Thomas Aquinas College women's basketball team jumped out to an early lead but couldn't hold on in a 57-47 East Coast Conference setback at first-place Dowling College. Alyson Brennan led the Lady Spartans with 13 points and eight rebounds as STAC falls to 8-11 overall and 4-5 in conference play. Dowling remains undefeated in the ECC at 9-0, 15-2 overall.

After an even start, STAC held the Golden Lions scoreless over a six-minute span and rode a 10-3 burst to an 18-10 lead with eight minutes remaining in the first half. Dowling would then turn up the pressure on defense, holding the Lady Spartans scoreless over a four minute span while reeling off 10 points to take a 20-18 edge before settling for a 24-24 halftime deadlock.

Dowling would wrest control of the game after the break, with a 12-2 run over the first five minutes giving them a 36-26 margin. The Golden Lions would lead by as many as 11 points but were unable to put the feisty visitors away, with a pair of Sabrina Eggink free throws drawing the Lady Spartans to within 51-44 with 6:53 still on the clock.

Both teams would clamp down on defense, however, with neither registering a point over the next five minutes. Alyson Brennan would break the drought with a pair of foul shots to bring STAC within five, but a quick Connie Simmons lay-up with 1:33 left would keep the Golden Lions in the driver's seat.

Ashley Motrechuk would add 11 points for St. Thomas Aquinas, while Danielle Wilson was a dominant force for Dowling with game-highs of 23 points and 14 rebounds, while teammate Connie Simmons added 11 points.

STAC's women's basketball team returns to action this Wednesday, January 30, when they host Molloy College in an ECC tilt at Aquinas Hall. The game will  is the front end of a twin-bill that will be followed by the men's contest, and if you can't make it to see the action in person, be sure to follow along online via LiveStats and our video broadcast.