SHERMAN, Texas – The Celts of the University of St. Thomas absorbed their first Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference loss of the season Saturday, falling 82-75 at Austin College.
Sheridan Hopkins (Galveston, Texas / Ball HS) scored 21 points and pulled in eight rebounds, while Bresha Orange (Longview, Texas / Panola College) recorded a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Celts (6-3, 1-1 SCAC).
Jazz Taylor (Duncanville, Texas / Abilene Christian) scored 14 points and handed out six assists for the Celts. Micayla Hamilton (Richmond, Texas / Foster HS) added 10 points for UST.
Kacie West scored a game-high 24 points to lead Austin College, which remained undefeated as the Kangaroos improved to 8-0 (2-0 SCAC).
The Celts return to action Sunday, Dec. 29, when they host Johnson & Wales (Colo.). Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. at UST's Jerabeck Center.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Kangaroos jumped out to 9-0 lead less than two minutes into the game as they hit three of their first four shots – all 3-point attempts. AC continued to add to its lead throughout the period and led 30-10 after the game's first quarter.
Austin College shot 55 percent (11 of 20) from the field during the first quarter, while UST only shot 19 percent (4 of 21) from the floor during the opening period.
AC's lead was safe throughout the game, as a UST run late in the final period was not enough to overcome the home team's advantage. The Celts outscored Austin College 26-12 in the final period, which included a 10-3 UST run over the game's final 2:17.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
• The Celts took care of the ball Saturday, committing a season-low nine turnovers while forcing 20 AC turnovers.
• UST turned those turnovers into a 21-3 advantage in points off turnovers.
• The Celts outrebounded Austin College 52-46, which included a 24-8 advantage in offensive rebounds. That discrepancy led to the Celts outscoring their hosts 19-5 in second-chance points.
• Sheridan Hopkins topped 20 points for the seventh time in nine games.
• Hopkins pushed her career points total to 1,585 and is now less than 100 points away from breaking UST's all-time record held by Maghen Lormand (1,679 points).
