LAKELAND, Fla. (March 8, 2023)- The St. Thomas University (STU) Men's Basketball team came all the way back from an eleven-point deficit with just under six minutes to play, to beat Florida College in overtime. This is the first time in St. Thomas history the Bobcats have made it to the round of 16, and the first time a team has won more than one game at the NAIA Tournament.
 
The Bobcats started out fast, with Fred Mulbah and Dalon Dean hitting back to back threes to take an early lead. The Falcons however went on to score eight unanswered points, really taking away the early momentum gained from STU. Jordan Hernandez responded draining one from deep, followed by Joshua Thrower making in a two-point game working his way inside for a tough lay in.
 
Two and a half minutes passed with a bunch of defense from both sides, but Florida College was shooting well all night and went on to take another eight-point lead. Not backing down, Fred Mulbah was able to find the net back to back, with a jumper and layup. Justyn Rogers made it a two-point game letting one go from the free point line. In big games nobody wants to make a mistake, and sometimes you see some down times of no scoring from both sides. Just under three minutes passed before Milton Matthews hit one from behind the arch to break the silence once again.
 
The first half was back and forth until the end. The Falcons made a late first half push, going up eleven-points. Joshua Thrower was able to slam one down before the clock ran out to make it a 41-32 lead for the Falcons at the half.
 
The second half didn't how the Bobcats drew it up in the locker room. Florida College was able to regain their double-digit lead, going up thirteen. Fred Mulbah got the second half scoring started for STU, just as he did to start the game. Mulbah worked his way around a falcon defender getting one to fall at the rim. A short time later Fred Mulbah hit a jumper to get back to a single digit deficit. Just when it looked like the Bobcats were going to make a run, the Falcons went up fifteen making a couple from behind the line.
 
Milton Matthews worked his way to the line making both, and Fred Mulbah got the ball back thirty seconds later, to make it a single digit Falcon lead once again. Dalon Dean made it a two shot game, getting a jumper to fall 59-53 FC. With just over five minutes remaining, Florida College extended their lead to ten, and it wasn't looking good for STU. James Harris III was then fouled, and made both at the line.
 
Never count this Bobcats team out however as Milton Matthews came on strong late, drilling a three to make it a six-point game late. Just as STU was starting to gain momentum, the Falcons hit a three of their own to make it a nine-point game again. Not to worry because Milton Matthews put the team on his back, getting a deep ball to fall 72-66 Falcons.
 
Just under two minutes remaining down six, D'Andre Johnson received a pass from Fred Mulbah and hit one of his own to make it a three-point game. Seconds would pass and the ball made its way into Milton Matthews hands again, and he would make a jumper to make it a two-point game with a minute to play. With thirty-eight seconds left Florida College marched down the court getting a layup to go in. Nineteen seconds left D'Andre Johnson received another pass from Fred Mulbah, and drilled one from behind the arch to go down by one.
 
Jordan Hernandez fouled a Falcon to try and stop the clock, and they would make both at the line to go up by three. With four seconds left, and ice in his veins, Milton Matthews stepped back getting some separation and hit a three to tie the game up forcing overtime.
 
Florida College got the first points of overtime at the line, but Milton Matthews was still feeling it, and gave STU their first lead since the first half with another one from deep. The Falcons then took a one-point lead, but Milton Matthews again drained a three ball. Two and half minutes to play, Jordan Hernandez reach the line, making both free shots. With a second left and a one-point lead, D'Andre Johnson blocked the winning Falcon shot to give the victory to the Bobcats 86-84.
 
Box Score Notables

• Milton Matthews- 25 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists
• Fred Mulbah- 17 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds
• Dalon Dean- 15 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists
• D'Andre Johnson- 9 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists
• Jordan Hernandez- 12 rebounds, 5 points, 1 assist