Score: Keiser Seahawks 53, St. Thomas Bobcats 57
Records: Keiser (4-2, 0-1 SUN), St. Thomas (5-2, 1-0 SUN)
Location: Student Life Center, West Palm Beach, Fla.
Keiser Starters: Caidyn Cannon (G), Satori Griffin (G), Carolina de Domingo (G), Avrie Schmidt (F), Jasmyn Hale (F)
St. Thomas Starters: Samantha Valess (G), Katrina Little (G), Ja'Nya Ferguson (G), Maddie Scharrenberg (F), Isabella Rivera (F),
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Keiser Seahawks women's basketball team dropped their Sun Conference opener 53-57 to the St. Thomas Bobcats on Saturday afternoon in the Student Life Center. Despite solid play execution and defensive effort throughout the contest, cold shooting plagued the Seahawks and proved to be the difference in a hard-fought conference battle.
The Seahawks (3-2, 0-1 SUN) struggled to find their rhythm offensively, shooting just 29.9% (20-67) from the field and 24.1% (7-29) from beyond the arc. The shooting woes proved costly as Keiser generated quality looks and executed their game plan effectively but couldn't convert, while St. Thomas (5-2, 1-0 SUN) shot 40.4% from the floor to secure the victory.
Senior forward Jasmyn Hale led all Seahawks with 13 points on 4-13 shooting, adding five rebounds, four assists, and three steals in 34 minutes of action. Hale knocked down 2-of-5 from three-point range and was clutch at the free-throw line, making 3-of-4 attempts. Avrie Schmidt and Emelia O'Gilvie each contributed 10 points in the effort. Schmidt was efficient inside, shooting 5-9 from the field and grabbing five rebounds, all on the offensive glass. O'Gilvie added four rebounds and two assists while providing energy off the bench. Satori Griffin added eight points and five rebounds, while Aly Avrach chipped in eight points, including 2-5 from three-point range.
The Seahawks jumped out to an early lead, holding a 23-19 halftime advantage behind balanced scoring and strong defensive pressure that forced 12 first-half turnovers. The lead grew to 10 points (33-23) midway through the third quarter following an Avrach three-pointer at the 5:13 mark, the largest lead of the game for either team. However, St. Thomas mounted a comeback fueled by improved shooting in the second half. The Bobcats shot 55.6% in the second quarter and 54.5% in the fourth quarter, gradually chipping away at the Seahawks' lead.
The game turned in the fourth quarter when St. Thomas guard Samantha Bautista hit a three-pointer at the 9:30 mark to give the Bobcats their first lead since early in the game, 41-39. The Seahawks fought back to tie the game at 41-41, but St. Thomas used a balanced attack to pull ahead for good. Isabella Rivera's three-pointer with 2:33 remaining pushed the Bobcats' lead to 54-47, proving to be the dagger. Keiser battled back with a late surge, as Hale connected on a three-pointer with 29 seconds left to cut the deficit to 55-53, but the Seahawks couldn't complete the comeback.
Several bright spots emerged for the Seahawks throughout the contest. Keiser dominated the glass with 19 offensive rebounds compared to St. Thomas's nine. The Seahawks also forced 17 turnovers and recorded 10 steals. Carolina de Domingo provided excellent defense with three blocks and two steals, along with five rebounds and three assists. Caidyn Cannon contributed seven rebounds and three assists in 24 minutes.
The difference in the game ultimately came down to shooting efficiency. While Keiser executed their offensive sets and created good looks, the shots simply didn't fall. St. Thomas also held an advantage at the free-throw line, shooting 73.7% (14-19) compared to Keiser's 60.0% (6-10).
- Keiser moves to 3–2 on the season, moving to 2-1 at home
- The Seahawks struggled from the field, shooting just 29.9% (20-67) overall and 24.1% (7-29) from three-point range, while St. Thomas shot 40.4% (19-47) from the field and 33.3% (5-15) from beyond the arc
- Keiser dominated the offensive glass with 19 offensive rebounds compared to St. Thomas's 9, though they were unable to capitalize on the second-chance opportunities in the final score
- The Seahawks' defense forced 17 turnovers and recorded 10 steals throughout the game, with Carolina de Domingo leading the defensive effort with three blocks and two steals
- Senior Jasmyn Hale led all Seahawks in scoring with 13 points while adding five rebounds, four assists, and three steals in 34 minutes of action
- Three Seahawks reached double figures in scoring, including Hale with 13 points, Avrie Schmidt with 10 points on 5-9 shooting, and Emelia O'Gilvie with 10 points off the bench
- After leading by as many as 10 points in the third quarter at 33-23, the Seahawks were outscored in the fourth quarter as St. Thomas shot 54.5% (6-11) from the field in the final period to secure the victory
- St. Thomas held advantages at the free-throw line, attempting nine more free throws than Keiser (19-10) and converting at a 73.7% rate (14-19) compared to the Seahawks' 60.0% (6-10)
- Ties: 1
- Lead Changes: 1
- Largest Lead: Keiser (10), St. Thomas (7)
Keiser will face Florida National on Wednesday, Nov. 19th at home in the Student Life Center. Tip-off is set for 4:00 PM.
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