AVE MARIA, Fla. (January 5, 2023)- The St. Thomas University (STU) Men's Basketball team was defeated in a close match up against the Gyrene's from Ave Maria. Despite a late push the Bobcats fell short, and couldn't overcome the deficit. 
 
The Bobcats started off fast with Jordan Hernandez making a three early. STU took a five-point lead when Justyn Rogers drove to the basket banking one off the backboard. Despite havig an early eight-point lead, the Gyrene's battled back to make in a two-point game. 
 
Ave Maria took their first lead of the night off a fast break and getting a layup to fall. The Bobcats fell into a slump which allowed Ave Maria to go on a seven-point run. Working the way back into the game and trying to be in a good position heading into half, Jordan Hernandez hit another from behind the arch to get within two. Joshua Thrower tied the game up at 31 all with a contested layup. Despite tying it up late, the Gyrenes took a five-point lead into the locker room.
 
Dalon Dean started the second half out with a bang, drilling a deep three. Justyn Rogers and Jordan Hernandez hit back to back from three-point land to give STU the four-point lead early in the second half, and the Bobcats were off and running. After some time, the Bobcats cooled off and Ave Maria took their first lead of the second half. 
 
Without a basket for a couple of minutes, the Bobcats found themselves in their biggest deficit of the night behind by twelve. Dalon Dean tried cutting the Gyrene lead down with a three, followed by Joshua Thrower driving to the rim getting a layup to fall. With just over a minute remaining, Dalon Dean worked his way to the line getting both to fall to make it a two-point game. Despite the late push, the Bobcats would fall by a score of 82-77.