The Celts set the tone from the opening tip with a dominant 10-0 run. UD Dallas fought back, cutting the lead to 20-15, but St. Thomas quickly regained momentum. Marion Williams knocked down a jumper, followed by a tip-in from Charles Gitonga that extended the lead to 35-20. In the final minutes of the half, Dallas responded with a three-pointer from Thomas Fleming and key free throws, closing the gap to 38-32 at halftime.

The Celts pulled away early in the second half, building a 10-point lead after an Andrew Adebo jumper made it 49-39. They continued to extend their advantage with layups from Ricky Altamirano and Angel Johnson, followed by a three-pointer from Williams that stretched the lead to 67-47. St. Thomas controlled the pace the rest of the way, sealing the victory at 80-59.

Leading the charge for the Celts was Charles Gitonga, who had a standout performance with 17 points on an efficient 8-for-10 shooting while adding four rebounds. Andrew Adebo was a force on both ends, finishing with 12 points, six rebounds, and three assists. Marion Williams made his presence felt off the bench, scoring 10 points and sinking two three-pointers. Angel Johnson played a key role in facilitating the offense, contributing six points while leading the team in rebounds with seven and dishing out six assists.

Off the court, the Celts to Cure initiative shined a light on Duchenne muscular dystrophy, helping to raise awareness and support for those affected by the disease. UST athletics reflects on their commitment to excellence and making a difference in the community.

Up Next

The Celts will return to their home court on Sunday, Feb. 9, to take on Austin College. Tipoff is set for 2 PM. For more updates, follow @ustmbasketball on Instagram or visit ustcelts.com.