Corpus Christi, TX - The University of St. Thomas women's basketball team traveled to play NCAA Division 1 opponent Texas A&M Univeristy -Corpus Christi at the America Bank Center to start their 2018-19 season. UST had six new faces make their first appearance as a Celt.

Sydney Hayes (JR/Houston, TX) and Aerial Starks (FR/Houston, TX) were two of the new faces that started for the Celts, along side last years All American Honorable Mention, Sheridan Hopkins (JR/Galveston, TX), returning sophomore guard Zariah McInnis (SO/Richmond, TX) and returning guard CheBria Porter (JR/Houston, TX). With heigth being an issue for the Celts it did not show in the first few minutes of the game. The Celts were able to limit second chance points early and hold the Islanders to 14 points in the first quarter.

After the first quarter the Celts were able to become more consistent in shooting the ball scoring 11, 12, and 12 for the last three quarters after only scoring 5 points in the first quarter. UST shot 23.7% for the night and got to the free throw line 13 times to shoot 69.2%. Heigth became an issue throughout the game with Texas A&M-Corpus Christi ending the night with 54 rebounds while the Celts only managed 26.

Sheridan Hopkins ended the night with 17 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 steals while new comer freshman Alexya Castillo (FR/Cypress, TX) added 13 points of her own to assist on the scoring end of the floor. Junior guard Sydney Hayes contributed 8 points and Zariah McInnis pulled down 7 rebounds and dished out 2 assists to get the ball moving for the Celts.

UST travel again this Friday to face the University of Dallas in Irving, Texas. The game is scheduled to tip off at 5:30pm.