The St. Thomas Aquinas College women's basketball team led by as many as 20 points in a big 77-69 East Coast Conference victory against LIU Post. Sam Burden led the charge with 18 points as Jenna Erickson added 17 and Kristen Olsen chipped in with 15.

STAC improves to 11-14 overall and 7-9 in the ECC, dropping LIU Post to 14-9, 10-5. With their second straight upset win and by virtue of District of Columbia's 79-61 win over Molloy, STAC has now moved one-half game into sole possession of the sixth and final ECC Tournament position.

Click here for the latest ECC Standings (note- Daemen is ineligible for post-season play)

Defense set the tone early as STAC kept the visitors off the board for the first 3:25 of the game while buliding a 6-0 lead. LIU Post drew to within 6-5 on a Jessica Little three pointer, but the Lady Spartans stunned their foes with a 17-0 run, holding the Pioneers scoreless for over six minutes.

Adiya Henderson converted a pair of foul shots to increase the lead to a game-high 31-11, and a Burden lay-up before the buzzer gave the hosts a commanding 45-28 lead after 20 minutes.

Each time Post showed signs of life, the Lady Spartans had an answer, with the lead never dipping below double-figures until STAC started nursing the clock in the final minutes. STAC was on fire from outside, shooting 8-of-16 from beyond the arc in securing the win.

Little led Post with 15 points, with teammate Chelsea Williams adding 13. STAC's tenacious defense held the Pioneers to just 34% shooting from the floor (21-of-61).

The Lady Spartans will now enjoy a break before traveling to Western New York for a pair of ECC contests next weekend. On Friday, February 20, STAC will square off against Daemen College before taking on Roberts Wesleyan on Saturday, February 21. The Lady Spartans will return to Aquinas Hall for their final home game of the season on Saturday, February 28 when the University of the District of Columbia pays a call. Senior Day festivities will precede the 1:00 tip of the double-header, which will be followed by the men's teams at 3:30.