MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. – Kicking off the home portion of their 2026-27 schedule on Thursday afternoon, the recently named No. 18 St. Thomas University Men Basketball Team defeated visiting Florida College 81-68.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: #18 St. Thomas 81, Florida College 68
Record: St. Thomas (4-1) Florida College (2-5)
All-Time Series: STU leads 2-0
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- After splitting the initial eight points of the contest, the Bobcats scored five straight to take a 9-4 lead while holding the visitors without a run of consecutive baskets until a jump shot and triple back-to-back made it 22-17 with 11:44 remaining in the half.
- STU responded with a pair of dunks from Zyier Beverly, only for an equal response making it 26-21 with 6:34 left in the half.
- The two sides traded the ensuing 18 points to maintain the five-point lead before a pair of Florida College baskets to end the half made it 35-34.
- The Bobcats started the second half with an 8-0 run, fending off a FC rally that got them within four midway through the second half at 56-52 to recreate their double-digit lead at 65-55.
- STU kept the lead in double-digits for the rest of the matchup.
NOTEWORTHY:
- Beverly scored a game-high 26 points, matching his STU-high, while adding six rebounds and four blocks.
- Brandon Moore added 17 points with nine rebounds, three assists and two steals.
- Aden Nyekan chipped in 14 points, six rebounds, four steals and three assists.
- Towan Siler II dished out four assists.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- The Bobcats went 28-66 from the field, 7-21 from beyond the arc and 18-21 from the free throw line. Florida College went 25-64 from the field, 5-18 from distance and 13-19 from the free throw line.
- St. Thomas recorded 15 assists while the visitors tallied seven.
- St. Thomas forced 14 turnovers, resulting in 17 points, FC scored 10 points off 12 STU turnovers.
UP NEXT:
The Bobcats begin Sun Conference play on Saturday, Nov. 14 at Warner University with tip-off slated for 4:00 pm.
