The St. Thomas Aquinas College women's basketball team fell to a 57-44 defeat at the hands of Dowling College in an East Coast Conference tilt at Aquinas Hall. Sam Burden led the Lady Spartans with eight points though her squad fell to 6-3 overall and 3-2 in ECC play, with Dowling improving to 3-6, 3-2.

Rekik Worku's layup at the 15:46 mark got the visitors off to a strong start with a 9-4 lead, but STAC battled back to tie the game at 14-14 on Alyson Brennan's jumper with just over seven minutes remaining. After a Kristina Surlan bucket put Dowling back on top, Kristin Olsen answered at the 6:26 mark to give the hosts their first - and what would prove to be their only - lead of the afternoon.

Dowling tightened up the defense, keeping STAC off the board for over four minutes while going on a 10-0 run, and a 26-19 halftime advantage. The Golden Lions would post the first four points after the break for an 11-point edge, only to see the Lady Spartans come roaring back.

STAC proceeded to hold Dowling off the board for nearly five minutes, with Briana Cook, Burden, and Colleen Ames (three-pointer) bringing their team to within 30-26 with just under 14 minutes to play.

Christine Verrelle would have a big hand in the 13-4 run that put her team back in charge with a 43-30 advantage midway through the half, watching the lead expand to as many as 17 points as St. Thomas Aquinas would not threaten thereafter.

Verrelle posted game highs with 21 points and 12 rebounds, while teammate Julia Koppl added 10 points. The visitors also enjoyed a decisive 42-31 advantage on the boards overall.

The Lady Spartans will now have a two-week schedule break, returning to action for three straight ECC contests at Aquinas Hall. On Saturday, January 4, Daeman College will pay a visit for a 1:00 start; Wednesday, January 8 will feature Queens College in a 5:30 pm tip, and Saturday, January 11 will see Molloy College in town beginning at 1:00. All three games are the front end of double-headers with the men's squads.