OSHKOSH, Wis. - Tabria Thomas has been on a trajectory to break the all-time career steals record at the University of Dubuque for weeks and today with two steals in the second half against Rockford University, Thomas now holds the record and counting with 238 career steals. The Spartans defeated Rockford 64-57 in the final game of 2023 at the UW-Oshkosh Winter Classic.

The Spartans shot out of a cannon to open the game with four straight layups to quickly lead 8-0 to force Rockford into a quick timeout. The Spartans led by as many as nine in the quarter by holding their opponent to only nine first quarter points. Rockford responded to start the second quarter with a 7-0 run to take their first lead of the game at 14-16 with 7:25 remaining in the first half. The Spartans got the lead back off a Morgan Hawkins jumper in the paint to take back the lead at 23-22. That jumper sparked a 8-4 run over two and a half minutes to increase the Spartans lead to 29-26. The final three minutes of the half would be scoreless by both teams. 

In the third quarter, Rockford was able to score two baskets in the first two minutes, but the Spartans would go on a 9-0 run and hold Rockford without a point over a seven minute stretch to lead 44-36 after three quarters. The Spartans were able to really stretch their lead out to double digits leading by 17 points with 3:06 remaining in the game. Rockford would have one last rally in them, but the Spartans were able to finish the game off on the winning end. 

Alongside her new career steals record, Thomas finished the game with 16 points and has now scored in double figures in 9/12 games this season. Hawkins finished with 10 points and a team-high seven rebounds. Karsen Kershner and Megan Teal added eight points each in their starting roles. Isabella Tierney scored seven along with Madi Petersen off the bench. 

The Spartans shot 25-59 (42.4%) from the field and 5-17 (29.4% from beyond the arc. The Spartans were able to score 29 points off 22 Rockford turnovers and completely dominate the points in the paint battle scoring 40 in the paint compared to only 14 for Rockford. 

All-Classic Team
Bridget Froehlke (UW-Oshkosh)

Morgan Hawkins (University of Dubuque)

Bonnie Jensen (Ripon College)

Mallory Hoitink (UW-Oshkosh)

Tabia Thomas (University of Dubuque)

Up Next
The Spartans move to 8-4 overall on the season and will return to the court in the new year when they take on a tough opponent in #7 Wartburg College at the Stoltz Sports Center on Wednesday, January 3 at 5:30 p.m.