MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (February 24, 2023)- The St. Thomas University (STU) Men's Basketball team has a big test today in the Sun Conference Semifinal. After defeating the Warner Royals in the Quarterfinals, the Bobcats will go up against the Thomas University Nighthawks in Lakeland, Fla. at the first seeded Fire from Southeastern University.  
 
The Bobcats and Nighthawks have met twice thus far, with each team taking a win. In the first matchup in Thomasville, Georgia, the Nighthawks dominated STU with the Bobcats unable to find any kind of rhythm. In the 84-69 loss, the Bobcats top scorers Milton Matthews and Dalon Dean didn't have their greatest performance. Matthews had 18 points, which is good but a guy with his caliber is usually well over that. Matthews shot 2-8 from behind the arch and 7-16 on field goals. Dean was off his game the entire night, only scoring 2 points, shooting 0-4 from three and 1-7 on field goals. 
 
On the other hand, the Nighthawks had some great performances. Mohammed Abubakar led Thomas with 23 points, going 8-13 from two-point land, and almost perfect 7-8 from the free throw line. Abubakar also gets it done under the rim and was third on his team in rebounds with 6. The Nighthawks may not take a ton of shots behind the arch, but they are a dangerous team in the paint. Tim Williamson is another guy to look out for as he had a double-double this game. Williamson had 12 points, and 10 rebounds. He's a big body that is only 6'4 guard, but he plays the game like he's 6'9 and he's always in the right spots. 
 
Bouncing back from the first game, the Bobcats dominated the Nighthawks this time on home court. This time the score was 96-79 in favor of STU, and the Bobcats just had that feeling that nothing could stop them. Milton Matthews and Dalon Dean were back to themselves, with Matthews having 25 points, and Dean with 24 points. Matthews had a solid game getting it done on both ends with 6 rebounds, and hitting 5 three balls. Dean played 28 minutes, shooting 8-13 inside the line, and making 6 from behind the arch. Justyn Rogers had one of his best performances in his St. Thomas career with a double-double. Rogers had 18 points, 16 rebounds, and also 5 assists. 
 
Although the score looks like a blowout, the Nighthawks had four scorers in the double digits. Mohammed Abubakar scored 20, and was one away from a double-double with 9 rebounds. Shakari Williams had 14 points along with 6 rebounds, and Deonta Jones had 10 points and 3 rebounds.
 
Expect a game that is fast and each side never wanting to give an inch. The Bobcats are a different team since the first time the Bobcats and Nighthawks met, and it showed in the second meeting. The Nighthawks however feel they are a team that should be in the Sun Conference finals and want to get payback for what happened in Miami Gardens. Patrick Crarey has this STU team playing together and with a ton of heart, so expect a high intensity game tonight in Lakeland, Fla.