MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – After a tough first half filled with scattered defensive breakdowns and miscues, a determined effort in the second half of play propelled the Thomas University women's basketball team to the 71-66 victory in the closing minutes of tonight's matchup against Sun Conference foe Florida Memorial University.
 
From the tip, the Lady Night Hawks and Lions exchanged the lead several times through the first seven minutes of play until Thomas secured a 19-12 lead with 11:30 remaining until the break.  The Hunter Green and White held the lead until the final two minutes of first frame when FMU took a 31-29 lead.  The Lions ended the half with a 7-0 run to take a 36-29 lead into the intermission.
 
The second half of play mirrored the first with each team making a run and temporarily securing a share of the lead.  Thomas took a brief 49-48 lead before the Lions regained a 57-51 advantage with 8:01 left on the clock.  Down but not out, Thomas slowly chipped away at the Lions' lead in the final minutes of the contest tying the game at 66 with 49.2 second left in regulation.  The Lady Night Hawks closed the game out with a 5-0 run to take home the 71-66 victory.
 
Senior Courtney Saunds led the way for the Lady Night Hawks en route to a career, single-game high of 31 points.  The Darien, Ga., native was one of three Lady Night Hawks in double figures for the evening.  Freshman Ashley Lewis and senior Ivory Smith both contribute 12 points, one steal, and one assist in the victory.
 
"I'm proud of the toughness and fight we showed tonight," stated head coach Coretta Brown.  "We'll enjoy this one for a few hours then it's back to work tomorrow as we prepare for St. Thomas.  Currently, STU is the top-ranked team in the Sun Conference.  Great opportunity is heading our way on Saturday."
 
Thomas improves to 8-10, 5-4 in TSC play, while Florida Memorial drops to 7-13, 4-5 on the year.

The Lady Night Hawks are back in action on Saturday, Jan. 31 when they return to Miami Gardens, Fla., to face off with Sun Conference rival St. Thomas University.  Tipoff is set for 1:00 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 women's basketball team by following them via Twitter at @NightHawksWBKB.