SPARKILL, N.Y. -- The Pace University Women's Basketball team took charge on the road, 51-40, against Saint Thomas Aquinas College moving to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the Northeast 10. 

The Setters trailed early and struggled to find momentum in the first quarter. But solid play on the defensive end kept them within striking distance heading into the second quarter down four points. 

Halfway through the second, the Blue and Gold would find a spark after back-to-back three-pointers for Morgan Ryan off the bench. Pace took a 25-19 lead over STAC into the half. 

In the third quarter, Pace would jump ahead by as much as 15 points over the Spartans after a productive quarter from the bench led by Katumina Mansaray.  

Despite the large lead for Pace, a late push from Saint Thomas Aquinas brought the score to within four points in the final quarter. With a minute remaining, Arianna Stockinger continued her clutch season with another huge layup through the defense giving Pace a six-point lead. After two missed free throws, the Spartans had a chance to trim the lead but a steal from Shanice Sinclair solidified Pace's 51-40 victory.  

Offensively, the Setters were led by Tower Lorde, who supplied her first double-double of the year with 13 points and 14 rebounds. Following behind was Mansaray with 10 points and Stockinger who added eight.  

Pace's defensive physicality was a focal point as they limited St. Thomas Aquinas to 31.3% from the field and 9.5% from three. As a team, the Setters had nine steals capitalizing on 31 points off turnovers. Lorde tallied a season-high three blocks to go with two steals. 

Wednesday evening, the Setters return home for a conference matchup against Adelphi University at the Goldstein Fitness Center at 5:30 p.m.