LAKELAND, Fla. (February 25, 2023)- The St. Thomas University (STU) Men's Basketball team fell just short in a battle with Southeastern University in the Sun Conference Championship game. 
 
The Bobcats didn't get a great start to the game and went down 8-0 early. Fred Mulbah got STU started by driving to the net getting one to fall off the glass. A few minutes went by without scoring on both sides, but Milton Matthews broke the silence with a three. Jordan Hernandez went on to tie it up with a three of his own.
 
D'Andre Johnson did some work in the paint and gave the Bobcats the lead banking one off the glass. STU was quiet for the next couple of minutes, allowing Southeastern to take a five-point lead. Joshua Thrower got the Bobcats to within two, getting one to fall from behind the line. With just around four minutes remaining in the first half, the fire went up 28-22. The Bobcats were able to make it close nearing the end of the first half, as Dalon Dean made it 32-30 at the line. 
 
Early at the start of the second half, Milton Matthews tied it up with a jumper. Justyn Rogers gave STU the lead with a jumper of his own. The Bobcats and Fire would go on to trade baskets, but the Fire were able to start to separate themselves. STU was able to get to within a few, but Southeastern made it a nine-point game. Despite the Bobcats late push, the Fire would walk away with the 70-62 win.