HOUSTON, TX – The University of St. Thomas women's basketball team tuned up for the season in front of a Homecoming crowd Saturday afternoon, earning a 90–49 exhibition victory over Community College Southwest at the Jerabeck Activity and Athletic Center

UST opened the first quarter looking to make a statement, and it did. The Celts shot 55 percent from the floor and hit six three-pointers in the period, building momentum on both ends. St. Thomas never trailed and carried a commanding 33–9 lead after one.

The Celts turned up the pressure in the second quarter. Their press forced the Raiders into six turnovers as UST stretched the lead to 42–11, part of a 16–0 run. St. Thomas kept extending the gap and shot 55 percent again in the quarter. The Celts went into halftime up 62–25.

UST never let off the gas coming out of the break. The Celts kept limiting the Raiders' scoring, holding them to 12 points in the third quarter. St. Thomas carried a 79–37 advantage into the final period.

The Celts closed out the opener with confidence, building their largest lead at 48 midway through the fourth quarter. UST's defense held the Raiders to 12 points again in the period to seal the 90–49 win.

Tatiana Mercado led the Celts with 17 points off the bench, shooting 7-of-10 from the floor and 3-of-5 from beyond the arc while adding six rebounds and four steals. Juliana Penn was perfect from the field, going 5-for-5 for 13 points and five rebounds. Madison Stewart added 12 points and went 8-for-8 at the free-throw line, and Kenna Gibson chipped in 10 points. Jaya Johnson dished out six assists, while Kn'Omie Washington had seven points, four assists and four steals. The Celts forced 33 turnovers, turned them into 42 points and got 57 points from the bench.

Up Next

The Celts hit the road to face Hardin-Simmons University on Saturday, November 14, at 1 PM in Abilene, TX.