LONGVIEW, TX — The University of St. Thomas Celts showcased their dominance in an 81-65 victory over Pacific Lutheran in a neutral-site game at LeTourneau University. The win improves the Celts to 8-1 overall and 1-0 in SCAC play, further solidifying their strong start to the season.

The first half featured an intense back-and-forth as both teams vied for control. Tied at 10-10 early, the Celts found their momentum after Andrew Adebo sank two free throws to spark a scoring run, building a 24-17 lead. While Pacific Lutheran fought to close the gap, Angel Johnson's timely three-pointer helped St. Thomas pull away, extending their lead to 32-19. Johnson capped off the half with a well-timed jump shot, sending the Celts into the break ahead 41-30.

In the second half, Angel Johnson led the charge, helping the Celts widen the gap with an early layup and a three-pointer, pushing the lead to 48-39. St. Thomas leaned on their defensive pressure to contain the Lutes while their offense thrived with contributions from multiple players. With six minutes remaining, the Celts stretched their advantage to 22 points, sealing control of the game.

Johnson led all scorers with 22 points, shooting an efficient 10-12 from the field. Marion Williams added 16 points, including four three-pointers, and Ricky Altamirano chipped in 14 points with three from beyond the arc. Andrew Adebo rounded out the top performers with 10 points and seven rebounds. The Celts shot an impressive 55.2% from the field and 40% from three-point range, demonstrating their balanced attack.

Up Next:
The Celts will take a brief holiday break before returning to action on January 4th, 2025, when they face Colorado College in Colorado Springs. Tipoff is set for 2 PM. Stay updated on UST basketball by following @ustmbasketball on Instagram or visiting ustcelts.com.