The #5 seeded Thomas University Men's Basketball team (17-12) will face the #1 seeded and NAIA #11 St. Thomas University Bobcats (24-5) on Monday evening in the 2014 Sun Conference Tournament Semi-Finals at 7PM in Miami Gardens, Fla.

TU knocked off the host #4 seeded Embry Riddle University Eagles, 96-77, on Saturday evening in the tourney's quarter final round. The win marked the first post season win in the new era of men's basketball and secured their spot in the semi's in only the first year of the program's return to intercollegiate athletics. ERU had not lost a home playoff game since 1995.

"We couldn't be happier", said Head Men's Basketball Coach Stephen Cox. "Winning on the road in a hostile environment is not an easy thing. Guys played good and executed great".

St. Thomas knocked off the Night Hawks in both meetings during the regular season. In January, the Bobcats came into the TU Gymnasium and showed very early in TSC play that they were a title contender, dropping TU 77-65. Thomas traveled to Miami Gardens, Fla in February looking for pay backs but, once again, STU showed why they were heading towards a TSC Regular Season crown in a 75-66 win.

"Against St. Thomas we have to take care of the ball", said Cox. "We will need to do a great job rebounding in order to survive and advance".

Senior forward Justyn Watkins, a First Team All TSC Selection and TSC Newcomer of the Year, leads the Night Hawks in scoring with an average of nearly 24 points per game (23.59). Sophomore center Andrea Robinson, a TSC All Defensive Team Selection, has been a force in the paint averaging 8.24 rebounds per game, fourth in the TSC rankings.

The winner of the St. Thomas vs. Thomas game will face the winner of the 5PM semi-final between #2 Southeastern University and #3 Northwood University, on Tuesday at 7PM. in the Tournament Championship game. Men's basketball is the third TU athletic team to make the TSC Tournament Semi Final stage during the 2013-14 academic year after both men's and women's soccer notched quarter final wins in their respective tournaments back in the fall.

Night Hawks fans can follow the game via Video or Live Stats at the TSC Men's Basketball Tournament Page.


http://thesunconference.com/sports/2014/1/3/MBBALL_0103143411.aspx?id=905&