HOUSTON,TX- The University of St. Thomas Celts secured a nail-biting 64-62 victory over the Ozarks at home, advancing to 5-9 overall and 3-4 in conference.

The game began with the Celts establishing control early, jumping to an 8-2 lead behind back-to-back three-pointers from Audrey Hernandez. Their strong shooting and defensive efforts kept them ahead throughout the first quarter. The Eagles, however, responded with energy in the second quarter, cutting the Celts' lead to just one point at 26-25. A clutch layup by Macie Whitfield helped St. Thomas head into halftime with a narrow 33-28 advantage.

The second half turned into a back-and-forth battle, with the Celts extending their lead but struggling to shake off a resilient Ozarks team. In the final quarter, Hernandez came through again with another three-pointer, while Whitfield's presence in the paint made a significant impact. With 30 seconds remaining, the Celts held a slim 64-62 lead. The Eagles had possession in the final moments, but a critical turnover on the throw-in sealed the game for St. Thomas.

The Celts' victory was powered by standout performances from their leaders. Ravyn Ellis delivered a stellar 18 points, showcasing her scoring ability with 2 three-pointers and critical defensive plays. Audrey Hernandez added 10 points, shooting an efficient 4-6 from the field and 2-2 from beyond the arc. Macie Whitfield dominated the boards with a game-high nine rebounds and chipped in 15 points, providing crucial support on both ends of the court.

Up next
The Celts will stay at home for another conference matchup, taking on Centenary on January 26 at 12 PM. For more updates, visit USTCelts.com or follow @ustwbasketball on Instagram.