MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (January 9, 2024) – The St. Thomas University (STU) Men's Basketball team is gearing up to take on cross town rival Florida Memorial in the first installment of the "Battle of Miami Gardens" this season. Both the Bobcats and Lions are coming off losses in their Sun Conference openers, so there is a ton to prove from both sides.
 
The Bobcats started the season with a small injury bug, but now are just getting some guys back just in time for conference action. After the long holiday break, Crarey and the cats hit the road to Coastal Georgia where they just looked a step behind, and went on to lose 82-73. There were some highlights in that one however, Josh Taylor had a strong performance with 25 points, four rebounds, and two blocks.
 
The leading scorer for STU Milton Matthews was quiet, going for eight points and hitting two from behind the arch. The Bobcats hit 11 three's to the Mariners seven. On the offensive side of the ball STU has to be better in the paint, moving the ball around the perimeter more, finding the open lanes. Sitting now at 9-4 and 0-1 to start Sun Conference action, tomorrow's game is a big one inside the FFC.
 
Florida Memorial started this season off hot, sitting at 12-2 coming off a loss to Warner. This Lions team a few weeks ago upset #16 Morningside in overtime, a team the Bobcats lost to the night before 87-82. There are two names the Bobcats have to watch out for, Evan Busby who averages 12.9 points per game, and Jaiden Guice on the perimeter who has made 23 threes. In the paint Latavious Mitchell is always around the ball and has a total of 136 boards (52 off. and 84 def.) Needing to get back in the win column expect this to be a good game, which it is always a tough game when these two teams meet.