Jason Hendrix, Thomas University Sports Information Director
MIAMI – Determination and heart stopping action was the theme tonight in northern Miami in the night cap of Thomas’ double-header with Johnson & Wales. While both squads’ play on the court gratefully equaled the price of patrons’ admissions, the final two minutes of the game had fans on their feet in the thrilling ending to the contest. While the Night Hawks of Thomas University played with passion and a renewed sense of urgency down the stretch, they were edged by the Wildcats of JWU 75-73 sending them to their third straight loss.
First half action mimicked a shot-for-shot routine that led to six lead changes, each team averaging three minutes a piece in the lead. The Night Hawks led the majority of the first 10 minutes of the contest pushing a five point, 19-14 lead at its height with 10:19 left on the clock. JWU pushed back to gain its first substantial lead of the game at 31-27 with just under three minutes until the intermission. The first half ended with the same four point margin, 33-29, when the buzzer sounded for halftime.
The Night Hawks, who outscored JWU 44-42 in the second half, stumbled out of the intermission allowing JWU to increase its lead to 11 points, 53-42, at its height with 13:10 remaining in regulation. Even though the game began to seem out of reach for the Hunter Green and White, the squad regrouped and powered back to tie the game at 71 with just under two minutes remaining.
JWU converted two free throws and a jumper to regain and ncrease its lead to 75-71 with 36 ticks left on the clock. With 28 seconds remaining, senior Rodney Sturkie cut the Wildcats’ lead in half with a quick lay in. After a timeout, the Night Hawks forced a turnover and had two attempts under the basket to tie the game and send the contest into overtime, but failed to convert sending JWU to the 75-73 victory.
Senior guard Marcus Humose led the way for the Night Hawks scoring 17 points while dishing out four assists and gathering two steals. Thomas had three other Night Hawks in double figures in the losing effort. Both Alan Love and Javoris Cooks contributed 12 points in the contest while sophomore Adonai Rogers added 11.
Head coach Stephen Cox, “Tonight was a tough one. We had two chances at the basket to tie the game and could not convert. We have to learn to defend and rebound better in this league. Our guys stayed together down the stretch and had some great contributions. We play another great team in Lakeland on the road Saturday and have to get ready.”
Thomas drops to 11-4, 2-3 in TSC play, on the season while the Wildcats improve 12-3, 4-1 on the year.
The Night Hawks return to action on Saturday, Jan. 17 when they travel to Lakeland, Fla., to face Sun Conference rival Southeastern University. Tipoff is set for 4:00 p.m. from the Sportsplex.
Women Escape Late Surge, Defeats JWU 69-68
MIAMI – A dominate second half offensive effort by the Lady Night Hawks coupled with missed free-throws by Johnson & Wales in the final seconds of the contest propelled Thomas University’s women’s basketball team to the 69-68 victory over their Sun Conference foe tonight on the road.
The Lady Wildcats started off strong from the opening tip with a 15-4 run for the early 11 point lead. JWU continued their accurate shooting and avoided defensive press by the Lady Night Hawks to increase their lead to 36-27 heading into the intermission.
Determined for a comeback, the Lady Night Hawks sprung into an immediate offensive force in the opening minutes of the second half and continued to fight their way back to take their first lead since the early minutes of the first half. With 12:39 remaining in the contest, senior guard Courtney Saunds gave the Lady Night Hawks the 48-47 lead sinking two of her nine made free throws on the evening.
While the Lady Night Hawks built a nine point lead at its height with 4:14 remaining in the contest at 66-57, the Lady Wildcats did not bow out. JWU fought back forcing three consecutive TU turnovers and tied the ball game at 68 with just under a minute remaining in regulation. The Lady Wildcats fouled in the final seconds of the game sending Laura Cherranfant to the line. Cherranfant, who missed the front end of her two free throws, found redemption sinking her second shot from the charity stripe providing what would become the eventual game winning shot.
Saunds led the Lady Night Hawks en route to picking up her second double-double performance and eighth 20 points or more contest of the season. The 5-foot-9 guard led all scorers in the game with 23 points and brought down 11 rebounds while dishing out three assists. Sophomore guard Shamari Josey was the only other Lady Night Hawk in double figures scoring 10 points in the winning effort. Josey shot 67 percent from behind the arch and 80 percent from the field.
“I thought our ladies did an outstanding job of battling tonight, especially in the second half of play,” stated head coach Coretta Brown. “We competed and gave it our all to win this one tonight on the road. I’m very pleased with our second half effort.”
Thomas improves to 9-4, 3-1 in TSC play, on the season while the Lady Wildcats drop to 5-10, 1-4 on the year.
The Lady Night Hawks return to action on Saturday, Jan. 17 when they travel to Lakeland, Fla., to face Sun Conference rival Southeastern University. Tipoff is set for 2:00 p.m. from the Sportsplex.
