BRADENTON, Fla. – New College Women's Basketball claimed victory over Thomas University in the team's first game of the new season on Saturday.
 
The Banyans picked up their first win of the season on Saturday, hitting a three in the final minute to separate from a tough Thomas University team.
 
The Banyans played a complete game vs the Night Hawks, thanks to a strong start in the first quarter.
 
New College forwards Sierra Moore and Sania Thomas got off to a hot start in the game's opening minutes. The due combined for 10 first-quarter points on 40% shooting from the field. The Banyans were also impressive on the glass, grabbing 15 rebounds in the frame for a 5-rebound advantage.
 
The Night Hawks finally got into the game's flow in the second quarter. The Thomas offense improved on their first quarter, scoring 22 second-quarter points on an efficient 47% from the field and 50% from deep.
 
The Banyans struggled during the Thomas run, adding only 11 points in the quarter. Jania Jones had a good second quarter, scoring 6 points on three for four shooting from the field.
 
The Banyans flipped their luck in the third quarter. The New College offense scored 20 points in the third frame, increasing their field goal percentage and shooting 50% from beyond the arc.
 
New College narrowly edged out the Night Hawks in the fourth quarter. With the game tied at 52 with only a minute remaining, New College guard Gwen Tsoukalas propelled the Banyans to victory. Following a missed Thomas three, Tsoukalas sprinted down the left side of the floor in transition. Forward Sierra Moore grabbed the rebound and found Tsoukalas on the run. Tsoukalas dribbled, stopped, and fired a three-pointer from the left wing. Tsoukalas' three hit nothing but the bottom of the net, erupting the Banyan crowd and sealing the victory for New College.
 
Sania Thomas led New College with 14 points and 10 rebounds while shooting an impressive 60% from the field.
 
Gwen Tsoukalas, Carson Defries, and Sierra Moore combined for 28 points on the night.
 
The Banyans are back in action tomorrow, October 29^th for a matchup vs. Embry-Riddle in Daytona Beach, Fl.