AVE MARIA, Fla. (February 17, 2024) – The St. Thomas University Men's Basketball team defeated the Ave Maria Gyrenes 82-77, in a battle for first place in the Sun Conference. The Bobcats started slow, but managed to have a strong second half and pick up their eighth win in a row.
 
Despite the early deficit, the Bobcats showed resilience, with a commendable shooting performance of their own. In the first half, they managed to convert 14 out of 30 field goals, including five out of 12 three-pointers. Their free throw shooting was efficient, going three for five from the line.
 
Individually, Anthony Harris led the scoring charge for the Bobcats with 12 points, showcasing his offensive prowess and determination to keep his team in the game. Milton Matthews and Josh Taylor provided valuable support, contributing 6 points each, while Jordan Hernandez and Daniel Ogoro added five and four points respectively. Cearius Warren rounded off the scoring for the Bobcats with three points.
 
However, Ave Maria's hot shooting from beyond the arc proved to be the decisive factor in the first half, as the Gyrenes capitalized on their three-point opportunities to build a significant lead. St. Thomas struggled to contain their opponents' perimeter offense, leading to the halftime deficit. As the teams headed to the locker room, the Bobcats knew they would need to make defensive adjustments and execute more effectively on offense to mount a comeback in the second half.
 
In the second half, the Bobcats displayed a more efficient offensive performance, converting 19 out of 34 field goal attempts. While their three-point shooting slightly cooled down, they still managed to connect on four out of seven attempts from beyond the arc. Their free throw shooting remained consistent, going four for seven from the charity stripe.
 
Leading the charge for the Bobcats in the second half was Daniel Ogoro, who caught fire and poured in 13 points, showcasing his scoring versatility and ability to take over when his team needed him most. Josh Taylor continued to be a reliable scoring option, contributing 12 points to the Bobcats' comeback effort. Milton Matthews provided valuable support with 9 points, while Anthony Harris, Cearius Warren, and Jordan Hernandez contributed five, four, and three points respectively.
 
Despite their strong start to the second half, the Bobcats faced some challenges, committing four turnovers and failing to generate any steals defensively. However, their offensive firepower and resilience allowed them to maintain momentum and stay competitive throughout the remainder of the game. A Jordan Hernandez deep three, and an Anthony Harris lay-up would seal the game for the Bobcats.