Box Score

THOMASVILLE, Ga. – 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.
 
Sophomore 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.
 
For up-to-date information on this game and other TU Athletics, visit http://www.TUNightHawks.com.  Stay up-to-date with news, scores, photos, game summaries, play-by-play, and feature stories of your TU men's basketball team by following them via Twitter at @NightHawksMBKB.