MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – The Thiel College women's basketball team concluded play in the 2018 HoopMIA D3 Holiday Shootout on Thursday as the Tomcats fell 71-59 to Case Western Reserve University.
 
Thiel jumped out to an 8-3 lead as freshman forward Destiny Johnson (Baltimore, Md./Western) scored five the Tomcats first eight points. Johnson finished the game with a game-high 18 points.
 
Case Western then went on a 19-7 run to end the first quarter as the Spartans led 22-15. 
 
To start the second, Thiel converted on two three pointers from freshman guard Rachel Breckenridge (Burton, Ohio/Berkshire) and a layup from senior guard Danyelle Lucido (Grove City, Pa./Grove City) to pull within three with 8:23 in the second quarter. 
 
Two made foul shots and a three-pointer from senior guard Jess Vormelker (Orwell, Ohio/Grand Valley) gave the Tomcats the lead back 30-28 with five minutes remaining before the half. Thiel would go into the half leading 36-35.
 
The Spartans rallied to open the third as they took the quarter 19-10 to put themselves up 54-46 with one quarter remaining. Thiel was unable to overcome their fourth quarter deficit as they fell 71-59.
 
Three Tomcats were in double figures on the day as Johnson scored 18 and Breckenridge collected 15 points on five of nine from beyond the arc. Vormelker finished with 14 points and nine rebounds.
 
Thiel will now travel back north to square off with NCAA Division I opponent Youngstown State University on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at YSU's Beeghly Center.