LAKE WALES, FLA ( JANUARY, 10, 2026) - The St. Thomas University Bobcats men's basketball team survived a nail-biting finish to earn an 80–78 victory over the Warner University Royals in a tightly contested matchup that came down to the final possessions.

St. Thomas built momentum early and carried a 43–36 lead into halftime behind balanced scoring and strong play in the paint. The Bobcats shot 43.3 percent from the field in the first half and were effective getting to the free-throw line, converting 12 of 15 attempts.

The second half turned into a back-and-forth battle, with the lead changing hands three times as Warner refused to go away. The Royals leaned on Jack Voth off the bench, who poured in a game-high 26 points on 8-of-13 shooting while going 9-for-12 at the free-throw line. Warner cut the deficit to as little as two points in the final minutes, but St. Thomas made just enough plays down the stretch to hold on.

Colin Nutter led the Bobcats with 20 points, adding nine rebounds while knocking down 7-of-10 free throws in 36 minutes of action. Kaleb Myers provided a huge spark off the bench, recording 18 points and a game-high 12 rebounds to give St. Thomas a decisive edge on the glass. The Bobcats finished with a 34–27 rebounding advantage and scored 40 points in the paint.

Adrian Cruz chipped in 11 points, while Joshua Thrower added nine points and played a key role attacking the rim. St. Thomas received 36 points from its bench, matching Warner's depth and helping counter a strong second-half push by the Royals.

Warner shot 40.9 percent from three-point range and outscored St. Thomas from beyond the arc, but the Bobcats' ability to generate second-chance opportunities and get to the free-throw line proved to be the difference. St. Thomas attempted 37 free throws in the game, converting 23.

With the win, the Bobcats showcased resilience and composure in a pressure-filled finish, closing out a hard-fought contest against a determined Warner squad.