THOMASVILLE, Ga.  ?   The Thomas University women's basketball team is prepping to potentially pick up the season sweep of Ave Maria with a victory in Ave Maria, Fla., on Saturday afternoon.
 
For the Lady Night Hawks (8-8, 3-3 TSC), who come off a 90-62 victory over Johnson & Wales, will look to turn it up five notches Saturday.  Senior Bra'Shey Ali is expected to be back in the lineup, which will help the Lady Night Hawks increase their chances for a Sun Conference victory.  Ali has proven to be a rebound wonder, ranking third in NAIA Division in rebounds per game (12.57) and first in offensive rebounds (5.00).  Overall, Thomas ranks second in NAIA Division II in offensive rebounds (20.438) and first in total rebounds (50.563).  TU also ranks fifth in NAIA Division II in blocks per game (5.25).
 
Although the Lady Gyrenes (7-9, 1-6 TSC) nearly went two months without a Sun Conference win, they were able to respond with a win over Florida Memorial (84-59) before falling to Warner in their previous match by a score of 65-59.  Sophomore guard Lauren Gillingham increased her scoring average to 14.50 ppg., and now leads AMU.  Gillingham also holds leads in rebounds (8.50) and assists per game (3.63).  Sophomore guard Taylor Lindsey leads the Lady Gyrenes in total steals (28) while senior forward Annie Artise leads Ave Maria in total blocks (17).
 
Thomas defeated Ave Maria 66-58 at the TU Gymnasium earlier in the season.  In order for the Lady Night Hawks to sweep the series, they will need to contain the Lady Gyrenes' Gillingham and Lindsey.  Thomas also must avoid fouling the Lady Gyrenes, as they boast NAIA Division II's best team free-throw percentage (79.3).  Lindsey is seventh in NAIA Division II in free-throw percentage (85.7) while Gillingham ranks 30th (81.0).
 
Tipoff in Ave Maria, Fla., is slated for 1:00 p.m.
 
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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.