The St. Thomas Aquinas College women's basketball team dropped its East Coast Conference opener to Dowling College in a battle of last season's finalists, 64-42. Shpresa Liharevic led the Lady Spartans with 10 points as STAC dropped its second straight to fall to 2-5, 0-1 while Dowling improved to 4-1, 1-0.

Dowling, the defending ECC champs, came out strong and their stingy defense led to a 19-6 lead midway through the first half. A pair of Lady Spartan jumpers by Sabrina Eggink and Briana Cook trimmed the margin to nine, but a Nicole Caggiano three-pointer with the shot clock expiring was followed by another from teammate Julia Koppl, and the Golden Lions rode into the lockerroom with a 38-17 lead.

Despite a much-improved second half performance, the Lady Spartans were never able to draw closer than 16 points as the visitors took the victory. Danielle Wilson led Dowling with 15 points, nine rebounds, and teammates Connie Simmons and Koppl hit double-figures with 13 and 12 points respectively.

STAC's women's squad returns to action this Wednesday, December 5, when they host Lincoln University in a 5:30 pm start at Aquinas Hall. Fans are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys as part of the annual Toys For Tots holiday drive.