Game Information
Score: No.23 Keiser University 64, Thomas 62
Records: Keiser (20-9), Thomas (16-12)
Location: Miami Gardens, Fla. | Fernandez Center
Keiser Starters: Goss (G), Radulovic (G), Sarenac (G), Matic (F), McClenton (F)
Thomas Starters: Cooks (G), Roulhac (G), Ginnie (G), Bush (F), Holloway (F)
 
Keiser Highlights

• The second-seeded Seahawks advance to the TSC championship game tomorrow evening at 7:00 p.m. against the winner of St. Thomas vs. Southeastern.
• Keiser last appeared in the championship game in 2016, falling to Warner at home, 80-55.
• The Seahawks last won the Sun Conference Tournament Championship in 2014 at St. Thomas, defeating the host Bobcats, 94-82.
• Newly named Sun Conference Player of the Year, Deion McClenton finished a block shy of a triple-double with, 22 points, 19 rebounds, and nine blocks.
• First Team All-Conference player, Andrija Sarenac had 17 points on the evening, including 7-of-7 at the charity stripe, and a team-best five assists.

 
Turning Point
The Seahawks defensive ability in the final two minutes to get key stops and convert at the free throw line proved to be the difference. Keiser made 4-of-6 at the line and got the biggest defensive stop with 1.5 to go when Thomas missed a potential game-winning three-pointer from the corner.

 
How it Happened

• McClenton tallied the opening six points for the Seahawks, including a posturizing dunk to take their first lead of the game, 6-4, at the 16:00 mark.
• Keiser pushed the margin to 10-6 before Thomas nailed a jumper from beyond the arc to get within one.
• The Seahawks maintained a one-possession advantage until the Night Hawks converted a pair at the line to retake a 17-16 advantage with 9:30 left.
• Following a pair of lead changes, Trystan Pratapas connected on a jumper to spark an 8-0 run to go back in front, 26-19, and force Thomas into a timeout with 6:04 to go.
• Out of the huddle, TU matched the Seahawks with eight unanswered points over the next two minutes to reclaim a 27-26 lead.
• The teams traded four lead changes down the stretch with Thomas using a pair of free throws with five seconds left, to hold a 33-32 edge at the halftime break.
• Sarenac buried a three-pointer to begin an 11-0 run capped by a second Sarenc three-pointer to put KU out in front, 43-33, with 14:04 left in regulation.
• Thomas battled all the way back to within a possession, 53-50, at the 6:18 mark, but McClenton had a put-back in the paint, pushing the margin to five.
• The Night Hawks wouldn't go away as they used a 10-2 spurt to reclaim a 60-57 advantage with 1:45 remaining in regulation.
• Pratapas quickly matched the three with one of his own from the corner to retie the game, and Sarenac was then fouled 30 seconds later after KU came up with a big stop on defense.
• The senior stepped up to the line and made both to lead, 62-60, with 1:07 left in regulation.
• McClenton was then fouled with 32.2 seconds to go, sending the senior to the line, where he split the pair to lead by three.
• Thomas made a pair of free throws with 30.1 to make it a one-point game before KU had to use their second to last timeout when they were unable to inbound the ball under the basket.
• Following a costly turnover under the basket by the Seahawks, Katrell Myers missed a layup and Andrija Matic came down with the huge rebound and was fouled with 11.7 seconds remaining.
• Matic made the front end but missed the second leading to a Thomas timeout with 1.5 to go, down by two.
• The Night Hawks got off a potential game-winning three-pointer from the corner but it was no good, sending Keiser into the championship game.

 
 
Team Leaders
Keiser
Points: McClenton (22)
Rebounds: McClenton (19)
Assists: Sarenac (5)

Thomas
Points: Myers (20)
Rebounds: Myers (10)
Assists: Cooks (3)
 
Inside the Box Score

• McClenton had eight blocks in the first half alone before picking up just one in the second.
• The Seahawks had 18 second-chance points on the evening.
• Keiser had five points on the fast break.

 
Ties: 9
Lead Changes: 13
Largest Lead: KU (10), TU (3)
 
Up Next
Keiser will face the winner of St. Thomas vs. Southeastern tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. in the Sun Conference Championship game. The contest will be played at St. Thomas.