MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (February 10, 2022) – The St. Thomas University (STU) Men's Basketball team has bounced back in Sun Conference play and look to continue their trend upward as they welcome a friendly foe to the Fernandez Family Center on Thursday evening. The Bobcats are set to take on the no. 19 Southeastern University Fire as both teams continue to fight for a top spot in standings.
 
Here is what you need to know about the Bobcats:

• The Bobcats are 8-2 in the last 10 conference games after starting 0-3.
• STU has defended home court winning four straight conference games at the Fernandez Center.
• The offense is averaging 80 points per game in league play, that is good for second in the conference.
• Bobcats have owned the boards collecting 45 rebounds per game, good for first in the SUN and second in the nation.
• Of the 45 rebounds per game, 16 of them are on the offensive end giving STU second chance offense that has led to points on the board. The 15 rebound average is good for third in the NAIA.
• The charity stripe has been a big help to help close out tight games. St. Thomas averages 18 free throws made per game; this puts the team at second in the NAIA.

 
Here is what you need to know about the Fire:

• Southeastern ranks first in the NAIA for three-pointer made per game at 12.
• The Fire average 18 assists per game, good for seventh in the NAIA.
• SEU is ranked 19^th in the latest NAIA Coaches' Top-25 Poll.
• Southeastern also sits atop of the conference standings with a 10-3 record.
• On the road, SEU has only play six games and have a 4-2 record.
• Two and two in the last four Sun Conference games falling to Thomas 59-68 and Warner 56-79.
• Southeastern is averaging 83.2 points per game and shooting 46.9% from the field.

 
Players to Watch – St. Thomas

• Dwayne Russell has registered a double-double against every Sun Conference opponent and is currently on a 12-game streak collecting double digit points and rebounds.
• Russell also leads the conference in rebound average at 11.4 per game.
• Augustus Stone leads the Bobcats scoring with 15.8 points per game.
• Jonas Parker follows suit right behind averaging 15.6 points per game.
• Chris Whitaker has made an immediate impact in the second half of the season averaging 15.1 points per game in 10 games.

 
Players to Watch – Southeastern

• Riley Minix is averaging a double-double with 23.1 points per game and 10.6 rebounds.
• Minix has also been named a seven-time Sun Conference Player of the Week.
• Reggie Mesidor is averaging 10.3 points per game and has 35 steals.
• Jordan Gorman leads the Fire in assists and three-point percentage with 77 assists and shooting 46.5% from behind the arc.

 
What is at stake?
Both teams have already clinched a spot in the playoffs, the remaining games will be set to sort out the seeding. With a St. Thomas win they will put their name in the running for a top-two seed as there will be multiple ties. A Southeastern win helps them keep their game gap at the top of the standings.
 
How to Follow Along:
Game Time – 7:30 p.m. or 30-minutes after the conclusion of the women's game.
Location – Miami Gardens, Fla. (Fernandez Family Center Gym)
Live Video – The Bobcat Sports Network via The Sun Digital Network
Live Stats – https://stubobcats.com/sidearmstats/mbball/
Tickets – https://stubobcats.com/tickets