MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (Oct. 30, 2024) — The Conquistador women's basketball team (0-1) missed the mark in its first game of the 2024-2025 season after the St. Thomas University Bobcats (1-0) outscored FNU 29-9 in the third quarter. The Conquistadors drop to 1-8 overall against the Bobcats dating back to their first meeting in November 2018. 

The Conquistadors were in the mix heading into halftime trailing 43-39. In the first, all five of FNU's starters recorded a bucket in the box score and FNU shot 42% from the three-point line. The return of Jullie Ruiz Paneto saw the junior drop 14 first-half points, while FNU outrebounded the Bobcats 7-6. Janelisse Marty Marrero wasn't far behind with nine points at the break and the largest lead for the Bobcats was only eight points.

The third period proved to be a real swing of momentum in favor of the Bobcats. FNU's offensive efficiency soured to a lackluster 3-17 from the field (17%). Meanwhile, the Bobcats played a near-perfect game, shooting 60% from the field and attempting 18 free throws for what amounted to an easy 11 points in the quarter. A three-pointer from junior sharpshooter Kaylee Llanos and six points from Ruiz Panet were all of FNU's scoring in the third. 

STU salted away the fourth quarter thanks to Katrina Litte and Sophie Vandyke combining for all 11 of STU's points during the frame. Eight more for Ruiz Paneto in the period ended her night with 28 points on 9-18 shooting from the floor. Ruiz Paneto also had the second-highest number of rebounds with five, as Jaycee Omeir led the way fro FNU with six boards and four points in the fourth. 

Hermione Hicks also contributed with a balanced stat sheet of five points, two assists, a steal and a rebound.

Up Next: Florida National is in Jacksonville, Fla., on Nov. 2 for a 2 p.m. game against Trinity Baptist College.