(CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky.) – The Thomas More College women's basketball team opened its home portion of its scheduled today (Saturday, November 25, 2017) with a 94-60 win over Heidelberg University on the first day of the 16th Annual Julie Costello Memorial Classic presented by Barleycorn's and sponsored by Holiday Inn Cincinnati Airport at the Connor Convocation Center in Crestview Hills, Kentucky.
With the win, the Saints improve to 3-1 and with the loss, the Student Princes fall to 1-3.
Thomas More used 62.5 percent (10-of-16) shooting from the field, including 57.1 percent (four-of-seven) from behind the three point arc to race out to a 24-11 lead after one quarter. The two teams matched baskets in the second quarter the Saints led 41-28 at halftime.
The Saints out-scored Heidelberg 30-14 in the third quarter to increase the lead to 71-42 after three quarters. Thomas More used a 23-18 advantage in the fourth quarter to cruise to the 94-60 victory.
Thomas More had a 42-12 advantage in the paint, 23-9 in points on turnover and 16-2 in second chance points. The Saints' bench out-scored Heidelberg's 49-9. Thomas More also blocked 11 of Heidelberg's shots.
Sophomore forward Emily Schultz (Melbourne, Ky./Bishop Brossart) led three Saints in double-figure scoring with 18 points. Joining her in double-figures was senior forward Nikki Kiernan (Cold Spring, Ky./Newport Central Catholic) with 15 points and senior guard Abby Owings (Independence, Ky./Simon Kenton) with 14 points. Junior guard Madison Temple (Cincinnati, Ohio/Anderson) led the team on the boards with 12 rebounds, while she and Owings led the team in assists with seven each. Junior forward Shelby Rupp (Milan, Ind./Batesville) led the team in blocks with four.
The Saints return to action when they host traditional rival Wilmington College tomorrow on the second day of the Julie Costello Memorial Classic. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. at the Connor Convocation Center.