Box Score  
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – While the Thomas University men's basketball team dropped its exhibition matchup 82-66 to NCAA Division I foe Gardner-Webb University tonight on the road, the Night Hawks gained quality experience and growth as a program against a high caliber opponent.
 
The first half saw dominate play by Gardner-Webb's two bigs, Tyrell Nelson and Jerome Hill.  The duo combined to lead the Runnin' Bulldogs on a 22-6 run to start the game.  The Night Hawk offense picked up midway in the half where the squad maintained a basket-for-basket approach that kept the game within contention.  GWU entered intermission with the 45-28 lead over the Hunter Green and White.
 
During the intermission, the Night Hawks regrouped and came out firing in the second half.  While both teams converted 12 field goals and two three-pointers, the difference was at the charity stripe where the Night Hawks converted 10 of their 15 attempts while GWU only made nine of their 12.  While the Night Hawks outscored the Runnin' Dogs 38-37 in the second half, the first half of play was the defining difference in GWU's 82-66 victory.
 
"We won't see bigs like that ever in our league," stated head coach Stephen Cox.  "To focus on the positives is key.  The guys responded well after halftime. We finally settled in, adjusted to environment, the officials, and level of play."
 
The Night Hawks had three in double digits.  Alan Love led the way with 19 while Adonai Rogers contributed 13 and Max Grace added 11.
 
Cox continued, "We won the second half 38-37! We shot way better and rebounded more in the second half.  Overall, we forced a well-coached team into 18 turnovers, and I thought this was a great test for our most important game of the year against Florida Memorial next Saturday."
 
The Night Hawks return to action on Saturday, Dec. 13 when they host Sun Conference rival Florida Memorial University.  Tipoff is set for 2:00 p.m.  The No. 15 Night Hawks look to capture their tenth win of the season and improve to 2-0 in Sun Conference play.

A photo gallery from this game can be accessed by clicking here.
 
For up-to-date information on this game and other TU Athletics, visit www.TUNightHawks.com.  Stay up-to-date with news, scores, photos, game summaries, and feature stories of your TU Men's Basketball Night Hawks by following them via Twitter at @NightHawksMBKB.