Miami Country Day runs past St. Thomas Aquinas

FORT LAUDERDALE — Miami Country Day, the nation’s top-ranked team, according to the USA Today Super 25 Girls Basketball poll, combined a fastpaced attack with balanced scoring to wear down St. Thomas Aquinas in a 80-62 victory.

The first half went back and forth as there were eight lead changes before the Spartans (19-1) used a crucial 7-0 run late in the half to surge ahead 38-33 at halftime. Koi Love, a Vanderbilt commit, and Emani Theodule had 11 points each in the first half for Country Day, while Angelee Rodriguez led Aquinas with 12.

“I thought we had a really good first half,” said Aquinas coach Oliver Berens. “I thought we came out with great energy and intensity.”

Starting the second half, the Spartans’ constant pressure tired Aquinas (15-5) as Country Day pulled away by opening the third quarter on a 19-2 run, including a pair of

3-pointers by Sydney Shaw. “They have a very deep team,” said Berens. “They’re able to keep that pressure but also keep fresh bodies in the game.”

Country Day led 61-41 after three quarters. The Spartans had four players score in double figures, which included 11 made

3-pointers, including five by Theodule, who finished with a game-high 19 points.

Rodriguez and Samara Spencer each finished with a team-high 16 points for the Raiders.