Box Score

MIAMI, Fla. – 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.
 
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 women's basketball team by following them via Twitter at @NightHawksMBKB.