LAKE WALES, Fla. – After a slow start to the evening, the Thomas University women's basketball team pulled away in the late stages of the first half and used their momentum in the second frame to defeat Sun Conference foe Warner University 80-67.
 
The contest's first basket did not come until almost three minutes into the game when Warner's Hannah Kotzen netted a three pointer from the right corner of the arch. This shot was, however, significant in that it was the one and only time that the Lady Royals led during the game.  Once the shot was made, the Lady Night Hawks went on a scoring tear to the tune of a 20-0 run to take the 20-3 lead with 9:51 remaining until the break.
 
Thomas continued its steady scoring through the first half and allowed only 19 points heading into the break.  The Lady Night Hawks, who entered the intermission with the 37-19 lead, remained consistent in the second half on the offensive and defensive sides of the floor.  While the Lady Night Hawks lead reached 20 at its height on three occasions, the Lady Royals battled back over the last 10 minutes of play to cut the lead to six, 64-58, with 6:24 remaining.
 
Once again, the Lady Night Hawks preserved and increased their lead back to 18, 79-61, with just over two minutes remaining in regulation.  Warner closed the contest with a 6-1 run, but fell short leading Thomas to the 80-67 victory.
 
The Lady Night Hawks had three players in double figures on the evening.  Senior Courtney Saunds led the crew with 22 points and four rebounds while Ivory Smith contributed 16 points and four rebounds.  Jessica Anderson added 15 points in the winning effort.
 
"We had a great win in conference tonight on the road," stated head coach Coretta Brown. "I'm looking forward to our Pink Out on Saturday against Webber."
 
Thomas improves to 9-11, 6-5 in TSC play, while Warner drops to 5-16, 1-11 on the year.
 
The Lady Night Hawks return to action on Saturday, Feb. 7 when they host Sun Conference rival Webber International University in their annual Pink Out game.  Thomas University student-athletes, coaches, and staff will be dressed in pink attire and encourage all spectators to do so as well.  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.