The St. Thomas Aquinas College women's basketball team outlasted Caldwell University by an 89-76 count in a non-conference tilt at Aquinas Hall. Jenna Erickson led five Lady Spartans in double-figures with 20 points as STAC remained perfect at 3-0 on the season, while dropping Caldwell to 2-1.

Each team entered the night coming off a pair of weekend victories but St. Thomas Aquinas held the early hand, with Adiya Henderson netting six points and Sam Burden adding four in a 12-0 outburst over the first four minutes of play. Caldwell got the offense in gear and cut the margin to 17-11 on a Nicole Angelo bucket with 2:25 left in the first quarter, but STAC hit three-pointers by Erickson (2) and a buzzer-beater from deep by Lexi Breheny to open a 29-15 gap at the break.

Caldwell roared back in quick order, with Antoinette Pilla netting five straight points to cap a 17-3 run in just under five minutes, deadlocking the score at 32-32. Kristen Drogsler gave the Cougars their first lead at 37-36 by hitting a trey with 3:49 left, but Alex Bertalino answered quickly to put the hosts back on top, and STAC held a 43-38 advantage at halftime.

Erickson stayed hot in the third quarter, with a pair of threes staking the Lady Spartans to a 55-47 lead with three minutes left, but Caldwell would again rally to tie before a late Alyson Brennan hoop put the hosts on top at 59-57 entering the final session.

Drogsler opened the fourth with another three-pointer, putting the Cougars back on top, but KC Sokolski ansdered to give STAC a 61-60 edge. Karlie O'Driscoll followed with a three-point play, and the 63-61 edge was Caldwell's biggest of the night with 8:50 to go.

STAC would take charge of the high-scoring affair from that point, with Brennan dropping seven straight Lady Spartan points as part of a decisive 17-5 run. In all, St. Thomas Aquinas amassed 30 points over the final nine minutes of play to secure the victory.

In addition to Erickson's torrid scoring, Brennan added 15 points, Henderson chipped in 12, Alex Bertolino hit a career-high 11, and Burden recorded 10. Caldwell had four scorers hit doubles in their own right, with Drogsler posting 20, joined by Angelo (17), O'Driscoll (14) and Antoinette Pilla (13). STAC held a commanding 45-29 advantage in rebounding, and free throws made a difference with the Lady Spartans hitting 82% (22-27) with the Cougars posting 60% (6-10).

The Lady Spartans return to action this weekend heading down the road to participate in a pair at the Dominican College Tournament. On Saturday, November 21, STAC will square off with Felician University at 3:00 pm, while Sunday's action will see the Lady Spartans take on Dominican starting at 1:00 pm.

- Steve Balsan, St. Thomas Aquinas Sports Information