BELTON, Texas — St. Thomas suffered their first loss of the season, falling 78-53 on the road against the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB). Despite an early back-and-forth battle, the Celts couldn't recover from a strong second-half surge by the Crusaders.

The game started scoreless for the first 90 seconds until Andrew Adebo's free throw put St. Thomas ahead. The lead shifted hands early, with the Celts holding an 8-7 advantage at the first media timeout. However, UMHB responded with a 10-0 run fueled by three-pointers. The Celts fought back and trimmed the deficit to just two points with 6 mins left in the first half, but the Crusaders took control again, ending the half with a 28-36 lead. In the second half, the Celts came out determined to erase the deficit and challenge the Crusaders. Their efforts paid off early, chipping away at the lead and cutting it to 38-30.

However, the Crusaders regrouped and responded with a tightened defense that stifled the Celts' offensive rhythm. UMHB's consistent pressure forced tough shots and limited opportunities for the Celts, which extended the lead and allowed the Crusaders to secure the win. Adebo led the Celts with a double-double, scoring 12 points and grabbing 9 rebounds, showcasing his presence on both ends of the floor. Charles Gitonga added 8 points and 7 boards, battling inside against UMHB's tough defense. Ricky Altamirano contributed 9 points, hitting 3 shots from deep. Angel Johnson led the team defensively with 4 steals.

Up Next
The Celts aim to bounce back as they return to Houston. They are turning their attention to their upcoming matchup against the ETBU Tigers, which will be held on December 7th. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 PM. Follow @ustmbasketball on Instagram and visit ustcelts.com for the latest updates.