Jason Hendrix, Thomas University Sports Information Director:
THOMASVILLE – The Thomas University men’s basketball team face their longest losing streak of the season at two games after being upset by Warner University this afternoon at home 81-70.
The Night Hawks took their brief lead of the contest at 5-0 in the opening minutes of the game off a running jumper by senior Max Grace and a deep three by Rodney Sturkie. While the Night Hawks did maintain a two point lead on and off in the first half, the Royals height, defensive press, and rebounding paced the second portion of the opening frame. The Royals out rebounded the Night Hawks 21 to 14 in the first half and 12 to 10 in the second half leading to 15 second chance points for Warner.
At intermission, the twentieth-ranked Night Hawks trailed the Royals 42-32.
While a valiant effort down the stretch was made by the Night Hawks and big late minutes play by junior transfer Ty Bull, who scored a season high eight points, Thomas just could not overcome the first half depth to pull out the victory. The Royals narrowly outscored the Hunter Green and White 39-38 in the second half to take the contest 81-70 at the buzzer.
Junior guard Adonai Rogers led the Night Hawks picking up his first double-double of the season. Rogers scored 11 points while bringing down a season high 10 rebounds. Sturkie also contributed 11 points, two steals, three assists, and one rebound in the losing effort.
Head coach Stephen Cox reflected on tonight’s game, “We had a great crowd, and I thank you for that. We are not a very good basketball team right now. Being said, I vow as the head coach to work harder and demand it from our players to rectify our problems. We will work harder to move back into a winning effort.”
Thomas drops to 11-3, 2-2 in TSC play, on the season while the Royals improve to 11-2, 1-2 on the year.
The Night Hawks return to action on Thursday, Jan. 15 when they travel to North Miami, Fla. To face Sun Conference rival Johnson & Wales University. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
Lady Night Hawks Pick Up Second Conference Victory
THOMASVILLE – The Thomas University women’s basketball team picked up their second victory in Sun Conference play defeating rival Warner University 60-45.
The Lady Night Hawks opened a dominate first half of play where they controlled the tempo of the game on the offensive end of the floor and overpowered the Lady Royals in rebounds bringing down 29 first half boards. Lady Night Hawk defenders ended the contest out rebounding Warner 54-41.
While the tempo was slow paced, the execution on the offensive end of the floor opened a 28-19 gap in Thomas’ favor heading into the intermission.
Thomas pressured on defense in the second half causing the Lady Royals to make 13 of their 20 turnovers. The Lady Night Hawks’ bench outscored Warner 15-6 coming up big for Thomas down the stretch. That increased depth and contribution in the lineup and early foul trouble for the Lady Royals doomed their potential comeback in the closing minutes of the second half. Thomas took their eighth victory of the season winning 60-45.
Senior Courtney Saunds led the Lady Night Hawks with her seventh 20 points or more game this season. The Darien, Ga. native netted 22 points while bringing down seven boards and dishing out three assists. Ivory Smith narrowly missed her first double-double performance of the season scoring nine points and pulling down 12 rebounds. Senior guard Jessica Anderson also contributed 15 points in the winning effort.
“We showed some heart today. Courtney is really maturing and growing as an overall player and making the people around her better,” stated head coach Coretta Brown. “In spurts, we show signs of being a really good team. We will continue to work in practice on doing those good things more consistently.”
Thomas improves to 8-4, 2-1 in TSC play, on the season while the Lady Royals drop to 5-7, 1-2 on the year.
The Lady Night Hawks return to action on Thursday, Jan. 15 when they travel to North Miami, Fla., to face Sun Conference rival Johnson & Wales University. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.
