HOUSTON, TX- The University of St. Thomas women's basketball team faced Colorado College in their first SCAC matchup, falling 57-54. The Tigers entered the conference matchup riding the momentum of last season's 20-8 record and SCAC tournament finals run. The Celts, meanwhile, now sit at 2-4 overall and 0-1 in conference play. 
 
The game began as a close battle, with both teams trading baskets. The Celts showed resilience early on, trailing by just one point at the start of the second quarter, 10-9. Colorado College gained momentum midway through the quarter with a 16-10 lead, but the Celts pushed back. Ravyn Ellis sparked the offense with a layup, followed by contributions from Macie Whitfield and Joerdan Thomas, allowing the Celts to take a slim 22-21 lead. 

The Tigers found their rhythm in the second half, opening the third quarter with a 14-0 run. Amyia Bowie ended the scoring drought with a pair of free throws, followed by a three-pointer to narrow the gap to 46-37 heading into the final period. Bowie kept the Celts within striking distance, scoring back-to-back three-pointers and driving the deficit to just five points, 51-46. 

In the fourth quarter, UST's defense intensified, and Bowie continued her stellar performance, hitting another three-pointer to bring the score to 53-52. The Celts and Tigers exchanged baskets in the final minute, with Colorado College sealing the game by sinking free throws in the last 10 seconds to claim the 57-54 victory. 

Amyia Bowie shined for the Celts, leading with 21 points. She showcased her shooting ability with five three-pointers and was impactful across the court with six rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Ravyn Ellis contributed seven points, five rebounds, and two assists, playing a key role in the team's first-half surge. Joerdan Thomas was another bright spot for the Celts, adding 10 points and three rebounds while shooting a perfect 2-for-2 from the free-throw line. 

Up Next 
The Celts will regroup and shift focus to their upcoming game against Houston Christian University on Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 6 PM. For updates, visit USTCelts.com or follow @ustwbasketball on Instagram.