Smith Records Double-Double In Season-Opening Loss

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Marta Franco had a game-high 18 points and game-high six assists leading host St. Thomas to a 75-53 win over University of the Virgin Islands in the season opener for both teams.

Brittney Smith had a team-high tying 16 points and team-high 12 rebounds to record a double-double to lead UVI.

Alexia Hood also had a team-high tying 16 points while Ja'Learia Hill added 13 points and seven rebounds. Teliya Johnson added 11 rebounds while Aailyah Williams grabbed 10 boards for the Bucs.

Hood knocked down a game-high five trifectas for the Bucs.

UVI shot 30 percent from the field (18-60) and connected on nine of 26 from 3-point range while St. Thomas was 28 of 88 (31.8 percent) from the floor while hitting six of 45 from behind the arc (13.3 percent).

The Bucs jumped out to a 7-3 lead following a pair of free throws by Smith with 6:36 left in the first quarter before St. Thomas scored 12 straight and closed the quarter with a 19-2 run for a 22-9 lead after the first quarter.

UVI would score the first five points in the first minute of the second quarter to cut the deficit to 22-14 with 9:18 left in the first half.

Hood knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers as the Buccaneers closed to within 29-23 with 4:52 left in the half.

The Bobcats closed the half with a 16-4 run taking a 45-27 lead at the half and led 61-47 after three quarters.

The Bucs are back in action tomorrow night at Florida Memorial at 5:30.