MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (February 24, 2023) - The Sun Conference Final Four kicked off with the second-seeded St. Thomas University (STU) Women's Basketball team (21-8, 12-4 SUN) taking on the third-seeded Southeastern University Fire (14-14, 9-7 SUN) in the first semifinal game of the night. The Bobcats pushed the limit coming back and forcing overtime but fell short to the Fire 101-96.

St. Thomas won the jump ball to start the game but Southeastern scored the first points going in a 5-0 run. After a back and forth first quarter, the Fire took the lead at 26-19 and held it until the final quarter. 

The Bobcats were unlucky in the second quarter having trouble landing shots, shooting 28-percent from the field. Southeastern took the lead heading into the half at 46-34.

It was going to be a battle to fight back but senior captain, Kasey Gagan rose to the task and put it all on the line. The senior guard had a career night scoring 34 points, and having the whatever it takes mentality taking three crucial charges down the stretch to get the Bobcats back on offense. Gagan finished the night with seven rebounds, six assists on top of the 34-points. 

St. Thomas needed a big fourth quarter heading into it trailing by 12-points. The Bobcats outscored the Fire 29-17 to get the comeback and tie it to send it to overtime. STU went a perfect 12-for-12 at the free throw line to help the push.

In overtime, the Fire offense would be too much and come out on top outscoring the Bobcats 16-11.

This concludes the conference tournament run for the Bobcats. 

-STU-