STATESBORO, Ga. - Kriza Allen registered a game-high 15 points in Monday evening's exhibition, but Georgia Southern defeated Thomas, 79-51, inside Hanner Fieldhouse. The contest was the Night Hawks' fourth of five exhibitions this season.

"After a slow start, we began to find a rhythm towards the end of the first quarter and into the second," Green and White coach Myron Brown said. "I think we're starting to play with more confidence. Our players know they're capable of good things on the court. Playing these NCAA Division I teams makes us stronger in the long run."

Thomas led 15-14 at the end of the first quarter after trailing by seven 3:57 into the game. The Night Hawks went inside for three-straight buckets before Dymon Brown canned a 3 at the 2:59 mark to tie the game at 10, as she scored the final 10 Thomas points in the period.

An Allen jumper 54 seconds into the second quarter opened up a three-point edge, 17-14. After Georgia Southern (3-3) tied the contest at 17 on a Jakayvea Akins jumper, three lead changes ensued before the Eagles put together a 14-0 run in a 3:11 span to seize control and lead 36-26 at halftime.

Thomas closed within seven, 48-41, after an Alexis Moody free throw at the 3:22 mark of the third quarter but trailed by double digits for much of the second half and by as many as 28 twice in the fourth quarter.

Sarah Moore finished with 12 points off the bench to lead five Eagles in double figures. She shot 5-of-10 from the field to go along with eight boards. Akins added 11 points off the bench on 5-of-8 shooting plus seven rebounds and five assists. Amira Atwater, Nakol Franks and Alexis Foulks each had 10 points. Atwater was 5-of-7 from the floor to go along with six assists, while Franks was 5-of-5 from the line.

Allen shot 6-of-12 overall and added six rebounds and five steals. D. Brown contributed 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting, including 3-of-5 from deep. De'Audra Copeland had nine points and five boards. Arianna Anderson recorded seven points. Anderson and Moody each pulled down seven boards, with Moody claiming five on the offensive glass.

Georgia Southern shot 50.8 percent (31-of-61) from the floor but just 4-of-15 from 3-point range. 

The Night Hawks shot 33.9 percent (19-of-56) overall.

Thomas resumes Sun Conference play Thursday inside TU Gymnasium against Florida Memorial at 5:30 p.m. ET.