MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – 20th ranked St. Thomas (3-2, 1-0 TSC) defeated 14th ranked Florida Memorial (2-2, 0-1 TSC) 88-80 in overtime in The Sun Conference opener for both teams on Saturday night at the Fernandez Family Center.
 
Raheem Bowman scored 22 points and pulled down 20 rebounds, while Tim Sada scored 19 points on six three-pointers to lead the Bobcats.  Kamil Browan scored 16 points, while Philip Saunders added 12 points.
 
Sada hit a three-pointer with 23 seconds in regulation to tie the game 72-72, then Saunders came up with a steal on FMU's final possession in regulation to send the game to overtime.  The Bobcats then outscored the Liones 16-8 in the extra period to seal the victory.

STU outplayed the Lions in the first half, taking a 35-28 lead into intermission.  Sada hit four of his six three-pointers in the first half, while Bowman already had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds by the end of the first stanza. The St. Thomas defense was tough early on, holding FMU to 28$ shooting from the field in the opening half.

FMU came back to tie the game at 41-41 with 16:52 to play in regulation, then took the lead 43-41.  A three-pointer by Saunders was the first of several lead changes in the second half leading into the final minute when the Bobcats trailed 72-69.  That's when Sada hit a clutch three-pointer that tied the game to send it into overtime.

Saunders hit a three-pointer to spark a 9-1 run to start the overtime period.  Saunders, Sada and Bowman would then hit free throws down the stretch to ice the game for the Bobcats.

Next up for the Bobcats is a road game at NCAA DII Nova Southeastern on Tuesday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m.  Following Thanksgiving, the Bobcats will then host Edward Waters on Saturday, Nov. 25 at 4 p.m. at the Fernandez Family Center.