Sparkill, N.Y. - Three Spartans recorded double-figures in scoring on Tuesday evening, as the St. Thomas Aquinas College Women's Basketball team beat Caldwell University, 69-57 in a pre-Thanksgiving non-conference matchup at Aquinas Hall.

STAC moves to 4-1 on the season, while Caldwell drops to 2-3.

Sarah Ericson led the way for the Spartans, posting 17 points, while Erin Leary (14 points) and Angelique Holguin (12 points & 10 rebounds) also scored in double-figures.

STAC shot 42.9 percent from the field (27-63) and 83.3 percent from the free-throw line (10-12), while Caldwell shot 32.2 percent (19-59) from the floor.

STAC NOTES AND HIGHLIGHTS:

• Eight different players recorded double-digit minutes in the contest. 
• Sarah Ericson and Erin Leary both led the Spartans with four assists each on the night.
• Leary made 5 of her 11 field goal attempts, while Angelique Holguin went 5-for-11 from the floor.
• STAC out rebounded Caldwell 43-38 through 40 minutes of action, with Holguin (10) grabbing double-digit boards.
• St. Thomas Aquinas picked up 13 steals in the contest, with the Cougars turning the ball over on 21 different occasions.
• The Spartans earned advantages in two team statistical categories over Caldwell: Points off of Turnovers (22-20) and Points in the Paint (38-20).
• The game featured three ties and two lead changes.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• STAC jumped out a 5-0 lead on the strength of an Angelique Holguin jumper and layup, with an Erin Leary free-throw sandwiched in between.
• An 8-0 run by Caldwell gave them the 8-5 advantage forcing STAC to call a 30-second timeout to regroup.
• Back and forth action for the remaining four and half minutes of the opening quarter, would give STAC a six-point lead (18-12) at the buzzer.
• The Spartans opened the second quarter on a 6-0 run to expand their lead to 12 at 24-12 with just under eight minutes to play before halftime.
• Caldwell then went on a 7-0 run of their own to cut the deficit to five (24-19).
• Scoring swings by both squads put the Spartans up by as much as seven (35-28), before the visiting Cougars narrowed the score to four (35-31) at the break.
• Sarah Ericson paced the Spartans offense with 12 first-half points, while Halle Brown led all scorers with 13 points for the Cougars.
• Following the intermission, a quick Caldwell jumper cut STAC lead to just two at 35-33, before a 6-0 run extended the maroon and gold advantage back to eight (41-33) with 6:02 to play in the third quarter.
• A see-saw final six minutes ensued, as STAC went up by as much as nine points 44-35, but Caldwell's persistent attack kept them in the game and allowed them to narrow the deficit to only two 48-46 with 1:06 left in the frame.
• A pair of Erin Leary free-throws and a Karolina Jaruseviciute jump gave STAC some breathing room, as the Spartans continued to lead, 52-47 through 30 minutes of play.
• Sarah Ericson's trey with just under eight minutes to go in regulation, extended the Spartans' lead eight (55-47), but Caldwell once again chipped away at the lead six straight points via a pair of threes to cut the score to 55-53, forcing another STAC timeout.
• A quick huddle and some pointed instructions, re-energized the Spartans and caused them to go on a 14-2 run to close out the final five and a half minutes of the game. Erin Leary (4 points), Trinity Cheatom (4 points), Sarah Ericson (2 points), Kaitlyn Watrobski (2 points) and Karolina Jaruseviciute (2 points), along with suffocating defensive play provided the combination necessary to sustain the double-digit lead and carry STAC to victory.

UP NEXT:

STAC welcomes Chestnut Hill College to Aquinas Hall on Sunday, November 27. Tip-off between the Spartans and Griffins is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.