Box Score WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. – St. Thomas men's basketball defeated Edward Waters Friday in West Palm Beach. After trading baskets early in the first half, St. Thomas took control and led the rest of the way. Lorel Beckford and Floyd Battle put in strong performances and lead the Bobcats to a 80-72 win.

Both teams came out fast early in the first half, trading baskets in the first few minutes. Momentum changed when Beckford started attacking the rim and making shoots. He scored 10 points going 4-5 from the field. Battle was also very efficient in the second half. He went 3-3 from three-point range and 2-2 from the free throw line, scoring a team high 13 first half points. Edward Waters' Dylan Watts went 3-3 on his last three shots to pull the Eagles within one at the end of the first half, 37-36.

In the second half, Beckford and Battle continued to score efficiently. Battle added three more three-pointers and finished with a season high 22 points. Beckford had an almost identical performance in the second half, finishing with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Senior Demonte' Simpson picked up his game in the second half by attacking the rim and crashing the boards. He would go on to score 11 points and pull in 10 rebounds. Simpson has now scored double digits in all six games this season for the Bobcats.

In the closing minutes, as Edward Waters was mounting a comeback, senior Kevin Hincapie came up big at the free throw line. With only seconds left in the second half Edward Waters sent Hancapie to the line three straight time and he went 5-6, securing the Bobcats 80-72 victory.


STU Stat Leaders
Points: Floyd Battle - 22
Assists: Kevin Hincapie - 5
Rebounds: Lorel Beckford - 11