HOUSTON, TX – St. Thomas men's basketball team kicked off its 2025-26 season in style, earning an 89-55 victory over the College of Biblical Studies to start the year 1-0.

The Celts came out firing in the first half, jumping to a 10-1 lead behind strong defensive pressure and efficient scoring. The Ambassadors tried to find rhythm offensively, but UST's pace and energy were too much. A layup by Reyce Allen extended the lead to 22-12, and the Celts continued to push ahead. Though the Ambassadors made a small run before halftime, St. Thomas still held control, leading 43-26 at the break.

In the second half, UST picked up right where they left off. A layup from Nicholas Buffalo in the paint pushed the lead to 51-26, and a powerful dunk by Charles Gitonga brought the crowd to its feet, making it 55-31. The Celts continued to dominate on both ends, building a 76-47 advantage with seven minutes to play. They maintained their composure the rest of the way, closing out the game with a decisive 89-55 victory.

Leading the way for the Celts was Garrett Rodgers who finished with 16 points while shooting an impressive 6-of-7 from the field. Angel Johnson added 10 points and three steals, impacting the game on both ends of the floor. Nicholas Buffalo also contributed nine points and three rebounds, going 3-for-4 from the field.

Up Next
The Celts will hit the road to face East Texas Baptist University on Tuesday, November 11, with tipoff set for 7 p.m. in Marshall, Texas.