MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Thomas University men's basketball team escaped with a 57-56 victory over Florida Memorial tonight in south Florida as they picked up their third Sun Conference win of the season.
 
Freshman Jalen Bonds netted the first basket of the game and paced the Night Hawks to a 10-3 advantage in the first five minutes of action.  While the Night Hawks built a 15-8 gap over Florida Memorial, the Lions fought back to take their first lead of the game at 18-15 with 8:55 left until the half.  Thomas once again battled through FMU's press defense to regain a seven point, 25-18 lead 15 minutes into the opening frame.
 
As if it were repetition's fate, the Lions would bounce back to even the score at 28-28 heading into the intermission.
 
The second of play mirrored the first as neither team took a dominating or clear advantage on the scoreboard.  The Night Hawks and Lions continued to trade runs at the lead until the final two minutes of the contest when sophomore Javoris Cooks netted a three from the right corner of the arch to put Thomas up 57-53.  In the final seconds of the contest, FMU's Devonte Byrd would pull the Lions within one, 57-56, with a bucket from downtown.  Thomas pushed the ball down the court and retained possession with just four ticks left when Byrd attempted a game-winning three that rattled out.
 
The Night Hawks took the 57-56 victory, splitting the season series with Florida Memorial.
 
Offensively, the Night Hawks were led by Cooks and junior Adonai Rogers.  The duo combined for 29 points and eight rebounds while recording two steals.  The Lions were paced by Samuel Dorismond who contributed 13 points and six rebounds in the loss.
 
The Night Hawks (9-13, 3-6 TSC) are back in action on Saturday, Jan. 30 when they travel to West Palm Beach, Fla., to face Keiser University in Sun Conference action. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.  The live broadcast for TU vs. Keiser can be accessed by clicking here.
 
By the Numbers:
2 – Night Hawks in double figures in scoring
2 – Days until Thomas faces Keiser University
11 – Game high total of rebounds by Andrea Robinson
14 – Total turnovers by Night Hawks
19 – Points scored by TU's scoring leader Javoris Cooks
40 – Total rebounds by the Night Hawks
57 – 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.