Women's Basketball took on Howard Payne Saturday afternoon at the Jerabeck Activity and Athletics Center. In a game that saw both teams make extended runs, the Celts threw the last punch. St. Thomas pulled away in the fourth quarter to secure a 54-51 victory, marking their first win of the season. This game is also the first win at UST for head coach Mansa El-Ward.

The Celts came out firing and took an early 10-3 lead behind four different scorers. Macie Whitfield led the run with four points in that span. Nia McGee also finished the opening quarter with four points, but Howard Payne crept back into the game and kept it close. UST led 13-12 after one. The second quarter saw both teams turn up the defense in the lowest-scoring quarter for both teams. McGee and Sydnee Smith each hit key jumpers to keep the Celts in front, and they held the lead again at halftime, 20-18.

Howard Payne threatened to run away with the game out of halftime, as they went on a 16-0 run to open the third quarter. However, the Celts wouldn't go away, and they clawed back thanks to four points from Breanna Botello and a late three from Sydnee Smith. HPU led 36-30 after the third quarter. Hayden Morin took over down the stretch, scoring all of her 13 points in the final frame. She hit four three pointers, including one that turned into a four-point play to give the Celts the lead. McGee hit one more jumper that proved to be the game-winner, and the Celts held on in the final minute for the 54-51 win.

Hayden Morin's huge fourth quarter outburst was enough to lead all scorers in the game with 13 points. Nia McGee also had a solid all-around line with 12 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks.

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