The St. Thomas University basketball teams hosted a doubleheader on Nov. 24 against the University of King’s College Blue Devils, walking away with a win and a loss.
The women’s team struggled offensively but made up for it with their hard defence, forcing 23 turnovers.
The Tommies held a 13-8 lead after the first quarter, playing a stellar defence and forcing six turnovers. The first quarter had the largest point margin, as the two teams battled hard. The Tommies continued to force turnovers, as the Blue Devils had another five after the second quarter and St. Thomas entered half-time with a 27-22 lead.
“We had great energy. I thought our defence was really solid early … our traps were solid,” said head coach Fred Connors after the game.
“Offensively, we struggled. I thought we got a lot of really great looks in the first half but we missed seven layups, I think.”
The third quarter ended with the Tommies still holding on to a five-point lead.
The fourth quarter featured plenty of grit from both teams, as they battled until the final buzzer.
After Alana Dowling made a free throw, she gave the Tommies a one point lead. They played a full court defence, keeping their lead and walking away with a 56-54 win.
Connors told his players to “stay calm” in the final minutes of the game.
“We just focus on what we’re doing and stay smart.”
Lainy Dow and Dowling led the Tommies in scoring, each scoring 10 points. The women’s team now has a 5-2 record.
The men’s team got off to a hot start, leading 39-26 after the first half thanks to Michael Otoo’s eight points, and despite having a short bench.
Though still playing well in the second half, the Blue Devils slowly cut into the lead before catching up and taking the lead. Co-captain Arthur Reece played hard, making baskets non-stop.
But the Tommies were not able to bounce back and come away with a win. The Blue Devils were able to take the win 86-81.
“I thought our guys played very well the first three quarters,” said head coach Scott MacLeod.
“With our injuries and lack of bench, we were unable to that commitment to that mental strength in the fourth quarter.”
The men’s team now has a 0-7 record.
