Spartans Fall to Dowling, 69-64

The St. Thomas Aquinas College women's basketball team dropped a 69-64 decision to regionally ranked Dowling College on Saturday afternoon.  Briana Sloper scored a career high thirty-two points while grabbing eight rebounds.  Sloper went 10-15 from the field and 12-13 from the line.  Kaitlin Page added twelve points for STAC shooting 2-3 from behind the arc.

A jumper by Colleen Vogel gave the Spartans a one point lead (24-23) with 6:23 to go in the first half.  However, Dowling rattled off a 14-6 run to close out the half putting them ahead 37-30.  Simona Bartkova and Kelly Puwalski each hit a three during the run as Dowling was 7-12 from behind the arc in the first half.  Bartkova finished with fourteen and Puwalski added eleven.  Christie Marrone scored twenty-one to pace the Lions.

The Spartans were down by eleven on two occasions in the second half but fought hard to cut the lead to single digits.  Sloper scored sixteen points within the final nine minutes of the game to bring STAC within one on two occasions; the latter of the two 60-59 with 2:16 to go.  The Lion's Molly Tubridy scored off an offensive putback to put Dowling ahead three and the Lady Spartans missed their next three shot attempts.  Dowling converted on 7-8 free throws down the stretch to claim the victory.

STAC will return to their home court as they host CW Post on Wednesday evening.  Wednesday February 4th, will represent National Girls and Women in Sports Day.  All of the St. Thomas Aquinas female athletes will be honored following the women's basketball game.  Tip off is 5:30 PM.