MIAMI GARDENS, FLA (JANUARY 21, 2026) - The St. Thomas University Bobcats men's basketball team put together a dominant all-around performance at home, rolling past the New College of Florida Mighty Banyans, 99–64.
St. Thomas set the tone early and never looked back, using efficient shooting, balanced scoring and a commanding presence on the glass to pull away. The Bobcats shot 50.8 percent from the field and knocked down 12 three-pointers, while holding New College to just 35.9 percent shooting and 1-for-9 from beyond the arc.
Adrian Cruz led the way for the Bobcats with a game-high 28 points, shooting 11-of-21 from the floor and 4-of-9 from three-point range. Cruz sparked the offense throughout the night and helped St. Thomas build a double-digit lead before halftime.
Esteban Lluberes added 21 points, connecting on five three-pointers and going a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line. Colin Nutter and Kaleb Myers each chipped in 12 points, with Nutter also controlling the boards with a game-high 15 rebounds to go along with five assists.
St. Thomas took a 51–36 lead into halftime and continued to extend the margin in the second half, outscoring the Mighty Banyans 48–28. The Bobcats' defense tightened after the break, limiting New College to just eight field goals in the final 20 minutes and forcing difficult shots late in the shot clock.
Noah Tovar provided a steady presence off the bench with nine points and seven assists, while Jacob Sterck added eight points on 2-for-4 shooting from three. The Bobcats finished with a decisive 56–25 rebounding advantage and scored 21 second-chance points, showcasing their physicality and depth.
New College was led by Shawn Lefresne, who scored 18 points, and Giovanni Toscanini, who added 16. However, the Mighty Banyans struggled to find consistency offensively, especially in the second half, and were unable to keep pace with St. Thomas' balanced attack.
The Bobcats' largest lead reached 35 points late in the game, as St. Thomas closed out a convincing home victory and continued its strong play on both ends of the floor.
