Sparkill, N.Y. - Alexa Huertas' 29-point performance helped to lead the St. Thomas Aquinas College Women's Basketball team to a 71-64 victory on Wednesday evening at Aquinas Hall. STAC improves to 8-12 and 7-4 in the ECC on the season, while the visiting Mavericks drop to 10-10 and 8-4 in conference play.

The aforementioned Alexa Huertas led the way for the Spartans, posting 29 points, while Sarah Ericson posted double-figures in scoring (12) and rebounds (12).

STAC shot 50.0 percent from the field (27-54) in the conference tilt, while Mercy shot 35.0 percent (21-60) from the floor.

STAC NOTES AND HIGHLIGHTS:

• Six different players recorded double-digit minutes in the contest. 
• Sarah Ericson led the Spartans with six assists on the night.
• Alexa Huertas made 11 of her 18 field goal attempts and went 6-for-11 from three, while Sarah Ericson went 5-for-6 from the floor.
• STAC out rebounded Mercy 35-32 through 40 minutes of action, with Sarah Ericson leading the way for the Spartans, grabbing 12 boards.
• St. Thomas Aquinas picked up eight steals in the contest, with the Mavericks turning the ball over on 13 different occasions.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• STAC opened the contest with an 8-0 lead, forcing Mercy to call an early timeout. Fortunately, the Spartans would continue to turn up the offensive pressure on the visitors, building a 21-9 advantage and maintaining an 11-point margin on the scoreboard (23-12) after one quarter of play.
• The Mavericks would chip away at their deficit in the second quarter, getting within two points on three occasions in the stanza, before STAC was able to regain its footing and rebuild another 11-point lead (42-31) at halftime.
• Alexa Huertas led all scorers in the first half with 14 points for St. Thomas Aquinas, while Taysha Bender recorded eight points for Mercy.
• Following the break, Mercy would attempt to get back into the contest, but STAC consistently answered the bell, matching the Mavericks shot for shot in the third quarter, extending their lead to 18, at 59-41 through 30 minutes of action.
• In the fourth quarter, St. Thomas Aquinas took its largest lead of the game (22) with a 63-41 advantage early on in the frame. However, Mercy would make it a game late, closing the gap on the scoreboard to just seven before time ran out on their comeback efforts.

UP NEXT:

St. Thomas Aquinas hosts Molloy College on Sunday, February 6 at Aquinas Hall. Opening tip is set for 3pm. (Note: Monday's contest between the Spartans and Lions is a makeup game from January 5)