The St. Thomas Aquinas College women's basketball team scored early and often in taking a 76-50 decision over the University of the District of Columbia in an East Coast Conference game at Aquinas Hall. The Spartans improve to 11-2 overall with the win and are now 3-0 in ECC action, with UDC falling to 4-8, 0-3.

Though an early exchange of baskets left STAC with a narrow 8-6 lead just over three minutes into play, the Spartans were to take charge from there. On the strength of a pair of Alexa Huertas hoops, the hosts scored the next 10 points as part of a 20-3 run to close the first quarter with a commanding 28-9 lead. Kellyann Averill scored twice to start the second stanza, and Zaria Thomas added a late three to expand the margin to 49-19 just before the half.

Missy Sadler's jumper just 22 seconds after the break gave STAC all the points they would need, as the teams played an even second half with the outcome never in doubt. Sadler led all scorers with 15 points, with teammates Emily Preston (14), Thomas (13) and Averill (12) pacing the balanced attack. Mia-Alexis Lloyd led the way for the Firebirds with 13 points.

The Spartans return to action this Saturday, January 5, hosting a non-conference showdown with Southern Connecticut State University, starting at 1:00 pm at Aquinas Hall. They will then resume ECC play hosting a showdown against New York Institute of Technology on January 9, with double-header action starting at 5:30 pm.