Williamsburg, KY – The Women's Basketball Patriots opened up Mid-South Conference play on Tuesday night against conference newcomer and 21st-ranked Thomas More University, who carried a 39-game winning streak into the contest dating back through their undefeated season last year in NCAA Division III. After falling behind at the half, UC would break away in the third with a massive run to take a lead they would not relinquish, defeating the Saints by a final score of 60-47. The win moves UC to 9-1 overall and 1-0 in MSC play.
The Patriots would begin the game opening up a six point lead in the first including six points from Vilma Covane at 11-5. The Saints would rebound though, going on a 10-4 run to end the quarter tied at 15-15. Trading the lead back and forth, the game was tied at 22-22 before Thomas More finished the half on a 7-3 run to take a 29-25 lead at the break.
In the third, it was all Patriots as Silvia Veloso led the way with eight points and six steals as UC would go on a 20-2 run in the first nine minutes of the quarter to take a 45-31 lead. Thomas More added four points late to cut the lead to ten at 45-35 entering the final quarter of play. The Saints would cut the lead down to eight with just under two minutes to play, but the Patriots would pull away with a 60-47 win, also snapping a 54-game winning streak of regular season games of the Saints.
Vilma Covane recorded her second double-double of the season in the victory with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Veloso ended her night with nine points to go with 10 rebounds, seven steals, three assists, and two blocks. Carla Covane, Abbi Douglas, and Megan Morton each chipped in eight points in the win.
UC shot 46.7% from the field in the win while holding the Saints who average nearly 52% from the floor to just 31.7% on the night. The Patriots outrebounded the Saints 40-25, scoring 22 points in the paint and 21 points off of 19 Saints' turnovers.
Leading the way for Thomas More was Emily Schultz with 14 points, six rebounds, and four steals. The Saints scored just one point off their bench, but did score 20 points off 32 Patriot turnovers. Thomas More also shot just 2-14 (12.5%) from beyond the arc in the loss.
The Patriots return to MSC action on Thursday as they hit the road for the first time in conference play as they take on the Tigers of Georgetown College. Tip-off is slated for 6 PM.
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