MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (February 13, 2024) – The St. Thomas University (STU) Men's Basketball team heads to Lakeland, Fla. tomorrow to take on the Fire of Southeastern. The Bobcats are looking for their seventh straight win, with just four games remaining in the regular season. Since their first meeting on December 5, 2008, the Bobcats are 19-14 against the Fire.
 
With Ave Maria losing to Keiser last Saturday the Bobcats are now tied for first in the Sun Conference with the Gyrenes. STU had a slow start in their last game against Warner considering what they did the game before against #17 Florida Memorial. Nonetheless, the Bobcats dominated the Royals in the second half, and would go on to win 72-58. Cearius Warren was a terror under the rim on both ends, collecting his sixth double-double of the season with 12 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks. Warren leads the nation in blocks with 73, and is one block away from breaking the St. Thomas block record, and also leads the nation in field goal percentage.
 
The usual scorers for STU really came alive in the second half against Warner with Josh Taylor, Milton Matthews, Daniel Ogoro, and Anthony Harris all tallying double-digit points. Anthony Harris has brought a different dynamic to the Bobcats offense, as he is able to drive to the open lane. He has also proved he can shoot the three ball as he went 5-5 against Florida Memorial and 2-4 against Warner. Milton Matthews and Jordan Hernandez have been solid behind the arch, with Matthews shooting 39.7% and Hernandez shooting 42.9%.
 
Southeastern on the other hand are coming off a 77-74 victory over Webber International. In the Fires' two previous games, they lost to Keiser, but defeated Ave Maria in dominant fashion 93-77. The Fire have been an up and down team, but will always play tough and the Bobcats know that. Makai Vassell leads Southeastern in scoring and rebounds, and last game against the Warriors he had a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds. The Fire don't shoot the three ball much, going 6-21, but love to work the ball around to find an open lane for Vassell.

The Bobcats lead the Fire in points per game, field goal percentage, three point percentage, and blocks per game. Southestern however has the edge on STU in the rebound department.