COCHRAN, Ga. – The Thomas University women's basketball team picked up its first win of the 2015 season in dramatic fashion tonight defeating Middle Georgia State University 61-60 in front of a packed house at the Morris Gymnasium.
 
Thomas got off to a challenging start in the opening minutes of the first quarter as the Lady Knights jumped out to a 6-2 lead.  The Lady Night Hawks held a brief 7-6 lead, with 6:23 remaining in the opening period, when Rayven Thomas netted both of her free throws to put TU ahead.  Rayven Thomas would see half of her points from the charity stripe throughout the game as she went 6-for-16 from the line.
 
"We've got to take better shots at the net when they are giving us freebies," stated head coach Coretta Brown of her teams' 26-for-49 free throw performance. "Shooting is key and tonight we struggled with that aspect."
 
Middle Georgia would continue their lead into the second half collecting 28 of is 43 halftime points in the second quarter alone.  The Lady Knights built a sizable 43-27 advantage heading into the intermission.  While the Lady Night Hawks were down, they were not discouraged as they came out of the half to open the third quarter with a 9-1 run. 
 
Thomas' defensive presence, which held MGSU to just five points in the third quarter, and lights out shooting got the squad back into contention as they tied the game at 48-48 heading into the final quarter of play.  Single-handedly, the third quarter belonged to the sharp shooting of freshman Ze'Nya Butler.  The Bridgetown, N.J., native recorded a game high 21 points, netting 10 of those in the third.
 
Heading into the final frame, Middle Georgia and Thomas would trade leads until the final minute when senior Bra'shey Ali gave Thomas the 61-58 lead on a free throw.  Ali recorded her second double-double of the season netting 12 points while bringing down 10 boards.  The Lady Knights had six opportunities at the line to take the victory but could not convert from the charity stripe going 2-for-6.  While MGSU's Shaketa Hodges made a last second drive for the game winner, the Thomas defense would force a wayward shot at the net to lead to the 61-60 in favor of the Lady Night Hawks.
 
Brown concluded, "We have to continue to chip away at each lead, game, and opportunity as they come our way.  We can't win a championship in one game.  We have to continue to build on each day and that starts in practice.  We'll now watch film, learn from tonight, and switch gears and focus to Saturday's game starting tomorrow."

The Lady Night Hawks return to action on Saturday, Nov. 7 as they travel to Brunswick, Ga., to face College of Coastal Georgia.  Tipoff is set for 5:00 p.m.
 
By the Numbers:
1 – Double-double recorded by Bra'shey Ali
2 – Night Hawks in double figures in scoring
3 – Days until Thomas faces Middle Georgia State
10 – Game high total of rebounds by Bra'shey Ali
19 – Turnovers by Middle Georgia State
21 – Points scored by scoring leader Ze'Nya Butler
37 – Total rebounds by the Night Hawks
61 – 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 women's basketball team by following them via Twitter at @NightHawksWBKB.