In the nightcap from Irving, Texas on Friday, Women's Basketball took on SCAC foe Dallas in their first conference tilt of the season. The Celts competed admirably for 40 minutes, but a big first quarter from Dallas propelled them to a 63-43 win over UST.

Nia McGee hit an early three to tie the game 3-3, but from there, the UST offense struggled to get going and Dallas worked their way out to a big lead. Audrey Hernandez would finally stop the run with a three of her own to cut the lead to 16-6, but UD ran away with the first quarter and led 21-8 after one. The Celts found a spark in the second quarter with a flurry of three point makes from Sydnee Smith and Hayden Morin to get back within 8. St. Thomas didn't hit their first two-point field goal until midway through the second quarter, but their precision from the outside kept them in the game. Dallas led 36-24 at halftime.

The teams continued to trade baskets to open the second half, as McGee and Smith matched the offense from Dallas. However, the Celts struggled to get over the hump. Macie Whitfield made a layup in the final minute of the third quarter to get the Celts back within 9, and Dallas entered the final frame up 48-37. Unfortunately for UST, the offense went cold again in the fourth. Ravyn Ellis hit a free throw and a three for her only points of the second half, but the offense couldn't muster any points over the final four minutes. Dallas pulled away with a steady offense of their own and won comfortably, 63-43.

Sydnee Smith and Nia McGee each had 9 points to share the lead for the Celts, and Hayden Morin recorded 6 steals to help out on defense. The Celts shot better from three than from the field as a team, posting a 34.6% rate on threes but only 24.6% from the field overall for the game.

Women's Basketball has another chance to get their first conference win of 2023-24 on Saturday against Austin. Be sure to follow ustcelts.com for scores and updates.