WEST POINT, Ga. – The Thomas University men's basketball team tipped off their 2015-16 campaign this evening on the road defeating Point University 79-65 in what was head coach Brent Crews' first victory as the Night Hawks' head man and his first collegiate victory as a head coach.
 
Crews, who joined the Night Hawks this summer after serving as an assistant at the University of San Francisco, reflected on his team's performance, "I thought the guys played hard tonight.  I was happy with their effort.  I thought my assistants were really good on knowing Point's tendencies and personnel.  It gave us a true advantage."
 
The Night Hawks took the lead from the opening tip when center Andrea Robinson's tip landed at the feet of Javoris Cooks (17 pts., 2 assists, 5 rebs.) who dropped a layup into the hoop for the first basket of the season.  Seconds later, TJ Rines (11 pts., 2 assists, 6 rebs.) would steal the inbounds pass from the Skyhawks, dishing the ball out to Adonai Rogers (18 pts., 5 assists, 3 rebs.) who put the Night Hawks up 4-0 with a mid-range jumper.
 
Over the next five minutes, Point would tie Thomas and then surge to a 19-11 lead, at its height, midway through the opening half.  The Hunter Green and White held strong and in the game as they slowly chipped away at the Skyhawk lead.  With 6:57 left in the half, the Night Hawks went on an 11-0 run, taking their first lead since the opening minutes at 27-26 on a floater by senior forward Ty Bull, to take the game to 34-26 in the Night Hawks' favor.
 
The Skyhawks would close the first half on a 5-0 run to cut Thomas' lead to 39-36 at the intermission.
 
Coming out of the half, both sides traded opening baskets before Thomas took control on offense.  The Night Hawks would turn in their second largest run of the game to go up 61-45, their largest lead of the contest, with 10:12 left on the clock.
 
Thomas (1-0) continued to rotate their starters and bench personnel throughout the closing minutes, allowing the youth-laden program to gain minutes of experience and crucial learning opportunities. 
 
At the final buzzer, Thomas came out with the 79-65 win, collecting their first victory of the season. 
 
Crews continued, "Tonight was definitely a good environment and a test of adversity on the road.  The bench played really well and lifted us when we need it."
 
The Night Hawks return to action on Wednesday, Nov. 4 as they travel to Cochran, Ga., to face Middle Georgia State University.  Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
 
By the Numbers:
1 – Career wins by head coach Brent Crews
4 – Night Hawks in double figures in scoring
8 – Game high total of rebounds by Andrea Robinson
8 – Days until Thomas faces Middle Georgia State
21 – Turnovers by Point
35 – Combined number of points scored by points leaders Adonai Rogers (18) and Javoris Cooks (17)
44.8 – Thomas' field goal percentage
47 – Total rebounds by the Night Hawks
79 – Points scored by Thomas
 
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.