LAKELAND, Fla. – The Bobcats (10-9, TSC 5-5) were able to secure a much-needed road victory on Thursday when they defeated Southeastern (12-7, TSC 6-4) by the score of 83-76, avenging an early-season loss to the Fire on December 6.  Leading the way for St. Thomas were Michael Walker (21 points, three rebounds, two steals) and David Santiago (21 points, four rebounds, one steal).

The first half of play was even for the first fifteen minutes, when the score was tied at 26 apiece.  For the remainder of the half, the Bobcats outscored the Fire 15-5.  The run was fueled by Chuckie Becton's efforts in the paint.  Becton scored 8 of his 12 points during this stretch run.  Further illustrating St. Thomas's dominance inside, all of their points in the last five minutes of the first half came from inside the paint or off turnovers converted into easy fast-break layups.  This led to a 41-31 lead for the Bobcats at half.

The Bobcats continued their offensive success in the second half, extending their lead even further.  Southeastern appeared to be finished when Michael Walker hit a three pointer to put the Bobcats up 68-51 with 8:30 to go in the half.  But the Southeastern trio of Timothy Mitchell, Larry Taylor, and Andre Winston showed that they still had some fire left in them.  They led the Fire on a 23-10 run, cutting the deficit to just four points with 1:25 to go.  However, their valiant efforts fell short.  The Bobcats were able to get enough stops and convert their free throws for the 83-76 victory.

St. Thomas returns to action on Saturday, January 31, at 3:00 P.M. when they face Thomas at the Fernandez Family Center.  The Bobcats will again be looking to avenge an early-season loss.  Thomas previously defeated the Bobcats 66-58 on November 22 up in Thomasville, Georgia.