GEORGETOWN, Texas – The Celts of the University of St. Thomas claimed the outright regular season Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference championship Saturday as they defeated Southwestern (Texas) 72-55.

Kennard Robinson (Houston, Texas / Sam Houston MSTC) scored 23 points and Nathan Thormaehlen (Katy, Texas / Katy) turned in a double-double performance with 14 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Celts to eighth consecutive victory.

UST (21-1) improved to 14-1 in SCAC play with the win. All other teams have at least five losses, meaning that no team catch the Celts in an 18-game league schedule.

Christian Alaekwe (Fresno, Texas / Hightower) came off the UST bench to score 10 points. Freddie Ricks III (Cypress, Texas / Cypress Springs) added nine points and four assists; Robinson also handed our four assists Saturday.

The Pirates kept pace with their guests for most of the game and led the Celts by as many as seven points in the first half. The Celts outscored Southwestern 8-0 over the last five minutes of the first half to take a 38-31 lead into halftime.

UST's lead would be cut to one point midway through the second period before the Celts went on a 10-0 run to rebuild their lead to 60-49 with 5:50 remaining in the game. The Celts' advantage would not dip into single digits for the remainder of the contest.

As the Celts are in their first year of transition into the NCAA's Division III and the SCAC, they are ineligible for the postseason conference and NCAA Tournament. With dual membership in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association, the Celts have their sights set on the USCAA postseason.

The Celts return to action Friday, Feb. 14, when they travel to Shreveport to face Centenary. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.