(CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky.) – Sophomore forward Nikki Kiernan (Cold Springs, Ky./Newport Central Catholic) recorded a double-double tonight (Wednesday, December 2, 2015) as she led the No. 1-ranked Thomas More College women's basketball team to a 93-68 win over Waynesburg University in both teams' Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) opener at the Connor Convocation Center in Crestview Hills, Kentucky.
With the win, the Saints improve to 4-0 overall and 1-0 in the PAC. With the loss, the Yellow Jackets fall to 1-5 overall and 0-1 in the PAC.
Waynesburg took an early 12-6 lead when Lauren Blair made a three-pointer with 6:04 to play in the first quarter. Thomas More closed out the first quarter on an 11-5 run to tie the game at 17-17 after one quarter when sophomore guard Abby Owings (Independence, Ky./Simon Kenton) made two free-throws with one-second to play in the quarter.
Thomas More out-scored the Yellow Jackets, 30-13, in the second quarter to build a 47-30 lead at halftime.
The Saints opened the second half on a 4-0 run to increase the lead to 51-30 when Kiernan made a jumper with 8:57 to play in the third quarter. Waynesburg answered with an 8-2 run to cut the lead to 53-38 with 6:26 to play in the third quarter when Addy Knetzer made two free-throws. Thomas More closed out the third quarter on an 18-14 run to increase the lead to 71-52 after three quarters.
In the fourth quarter, Thomas More out-scored Waynesburg, 22-16, as it cruised to the 93-68 victory.
Kiernan had a game-high 24 points and 12 rebounds to record her second career double-double. She was joined in double-figure scoring by senior forward Alexa Santamaria (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mount Notre Dame) with 12 points and Owings with 11 points. Senior guard Olivia Huber (Woodlawn, Ky./Newport Central Catholic) led the team in assists with five, while Kiernan led the team in blocks with five and Santamaria led the team in steals with three.
Thomas More returns to action on Saturday (December 5) when it travels to New Wilmington, Pennsylvania to play Westminster College. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. in Buzz Ridl Gymnasium.