SEGUIN, TX—The St. Thomas Celts traveled to Seguin, TX, to play the Texas Lutheran Bulldogs in a conference matchup. The Celts ultimately lost 61-53 in a tightly contested matchup, moving to 2-8 overall and 0-3 in conference. 
 
The Celts came out strong, initiating the game with a 6-0 run. However, the Bulldogs quickly rallied, tying the game at the six-minute mark and taking the lead with a 17-8 run. Refusing to fold, St. Thomas chipped away at the deficit. Audrey Hernandez's layup sparked a surge that trimmed the lead to 17-12. The Celts carried that fight into the second quarter, staying within reach. A steal by Nia McGee, followed by a fast-break layup from Amyia Bowie, narrowed the margin to 24-22. But Texas Lutheran responded, heading into halftime with a 33-28 advantage. 

The second half reflected the same high-energy battle. Joerdan Thomas' jumper brought the Celts within three points at 33-30, and moments later, Hernandez sank a three-pointer to tie the game at 33. Building on this momentum, the Celts briefly took the lead at 44-43. However, the Bulldogs countered with key free throws, reclaiming control at 52-44. Despite the Celts' relentless efforts, Texas Lutheran held their ground in the final quarter to secure the win. 

Maci Whitfield led the Celts and was nearly flawless from the field, scoring 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting while adding 4 rebounds. Audrey Hernandez contributed 11 points, including a clutch three-pointer that tied the game in the third quarter.  Nia McGee showcased her two-way impact with 10 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, while Ravyn Ellis chipped in 8 points and 2 rebounds, showcasing her efficiency. Amyia Bowie contributed across the board with 3 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. 

Up Next 

The Celts continue their conference road trip, traveling to Georgetown, TX, to face Southwestern University on January 11. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 PM. Stay tuned for updates at USTCelts.com or follow @ustwbasketball on Instagram.