MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (February 24, 2020) - Head Coach D.P. Harris, in his first season leading the Bobcats, has (RV) STU (20-5, 13-5 TSC) headed to the Sun Conference tournament as the third-seed and hosting a quarterfinal game at the Fernandez Family Center on Tuesday, February 25.

St. Thomas begins the postseason with the program's first 20-win season since the 2017-18 campaign, when STU finished 23-8 and advanced to the NAIA Division II National Tournament, progressing to the second round, after defeating Michigan-Dearborn (79-77). 

Head Coach Harris has an appreciation of the process and the tradition of St. Thomas Basketball, stating, "We respect the past and the foundation that coaches like [Ken] Stibler and [Patrick] Gayle have built, but it's a new era. We have a President [David A. Armstrong, J.D.] and administration committed to winning, as we continue to build a culture focused on high-character student-athletes." 

This season, St. Thomas has achieved the highest winning percentage (0.800) in a season since STU won a program-record, 26-games in 2013-14 (0.788). The Bobcats have defended homecourt better than any other Sun Conference team, going an incredible 14-2 at the FFC, including winning the final four home games of the regular season. St. Thomas is in the midst of a five-game winning streak, dating back to February 8. During their current winning streak, STU has outscored opponents 88-70, including a 50-point win over Thomas (GA.) and an upset over No. 17 Keiser.

The Bobcats have been impressive since the season tipped-off, recording four upset wins in Sun Conference play: No. 21 Warner (11/21), No. 11 Ave Maria (1/4), No. 20 (1/30), and No. 17 Keiser (2/22). In the second half of the Sun Conference slate, St. Thomas went 8-1, which was the best record over the final four weeks.

Justin Brown and Ahmad Gilbert have each been recognized as Sun Conference Players of the Week honors. Brown received the award first, following a streak where he scored 20-points in five consecutive games. Gilbert ended the regular season by securing the final Player of the Week honor, scoring his career-high (37) and recording his team-leading seventh double-double of the season (10 rebounds). Gilbert nearly recorded a triple-double in the upset win over No. 17 Keiser.

The defensive effort has led St. Thomas all season, as the Bobcats are ranked in several categories, including fourth in total rebounds (43.88), sixth in blocks (4.68), 17th in blocks (117) and 23rd in scoring margin (9.48). Individually, Jahsim Floyd ranks third in blocks-per-game (3.0), fifth in total blocks (69), Ahmad Gilbert ranks eighth in steals-per-game (2.5), 11th in total steals (60), and Justin Brown is 18th in points-per-game (21.6).

Inside the Match-up
This is the third time this season that St. Thomas and Webber International have faced off, as the Bobcats split the regular-season series with the Warriors. Ironically, as well as the Bobcats have protected home court, WIU defeated STU in the first home Sun Conference game of the season on 11/23, 79-72. In the loss, four STU players scored in double-digits, including a team-high 24-points from Gilbert. 

Following the loss, STU won eight consecutive games from 11/27 - 1/3, with the final win coming in upset fashion against #11 Ave Maria, 80-70.

Head Coach, Harris offered his opinion on the match-up against the Warriors, saying, "We're excited to get to the Sun Conference tournament... we're the hottest team in the tournament, and we are peaking at the right time. As we have gone through the season, our second half, we had the best record of Sun Conference teams."

St. Thomas got revenge in the second match-up, STU rebounded and defeated the Warriors, holding off a late rally and beating WIU on the road, 77-75. 

Webber heads into the Sun Conference tournament, winning their final two games of the regular season, sweeping the away portion of the Georgia-trip to clinch the sixth seed in the tournament. The Warriors are led by senior, Tommie Luke, who ranks 16th in the NAIA in scoring (611), and 20th in points-per-game (21.069). WIU is pesky defensively, as well, ranking 10th in steals and 13th in blocks. 

Bobcats have not won a Sun Conference tournament game since defeating Webber International (2/25/2016) in the quarterfinals.

Dating back to December 3, 2011, St. Thomas owns the head-to-head series against Webber International, 15-4; however, the Bobcats are 7-3 at home and 8-1 on the road. 

The Sun Conference Tournament
Regular-season Sun Conference Champions, No. 15 Southeastern, hosts the Sun Conference tournament semi-finals and finals, on campus on Friday, February 28 - Saturday, February 29. 

1. No. 15 Southeastern
2. No. 17 Keiser
3. (RV) St. Thomas
4. Ave Maria
5. Warner
6. Webber International

The Bobcats look to defend home court and earn their first Sun Conference tournament win in four seasons on Tuesday, February 25, from the Fernandez Family Center; tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m.

Follow the Bobcats on twitter: @STU_MBasketball and Instagram: @stu_mbasketball

-STU-