Box Score

Florida Memorial University (7-14, 4-6) edged the Night Hawks (12-8, 5-5), 79-78, in overtime of a Sun Conference match-up played last night in Miami Gardens, Fla.

TU led in the early going of a back forth opening half. With sixteen minutes to play, the game was deadlocked at five before FMU would open a four point lead after a bucket and a pair of free throws. The teams exchanged buckets but once again Florida Memorial would extend their lead, this time they would open their largest of the half at seven. TU took their first lead since the 17:01 mark, on a 3 pointer by senior forward Justyn Watkins to give the Night Hawks a 32-31 advantage with 4:14 to play. Thomas limited FMU to only two points the rest of the way ending the half on an 11-2 run.

Tight defense to open the half saw the teams remaining scoreless until the 16:44 mark, when an FMU bucket made it an eight point game. A two pointer by freshman guard Trey Gosier with 13:54 to play once again gave TU a ten point advantage but FMU would not go away. A 10-4 run by Florida Memorial made it a one point game with four minutes left in regulation and a three pointer one minute later gave FMU their first lead since the opening half. With the Night Hawks down by three and time winding down, junior forward Rodney Sturkie knocked down a three pointer to send the game into overtime.

A thrilling extra period saw the team's battle back and forth, exchanging the lead four times. FMU would take the lead for good with ten seconds to play with a two point bucket that gave them a 78-77 advantage. A free throw would make it a two point advantage. With time winding down TU was once again in a position to tie, a free throw by Watkins made it a one point game but a miss on the second attempt would wrap up the game for FMU. Watkins finished the game with 30 points.

Thomas will remain in South Florida as they take on TSC leader and NAIA #12 St. Thomas University on Saturday at 4PM, in an important conference tilt.