AVE MARIA, Fla. - Arianna Anderson led Thomas in points (18), rebounds (7) and steals (4) in a 73-48 loss at Ave Maria (Fla.), which is receiving votes in the latest Top 25, on Saturday afternoon in Sun Conference (TSC) action inside Tom Golisano Field House. The Night Hawks concluded a stretch of four-straight games against opponents either ranked or receiving votes. The Gyrenes snapped a two-game TSC losing streak. 

"We've played a tough stretch of opponents in recent weeks but have to be better offensively," Green and White coach Myron Brown said.

Thomas (5-8, 2-6 TSC) built an early 6-2 lead after a layup by Daycia Bandy and consecutive buckets from Anderson, but Ave Maria (12-3, 5-2 TSC) responded with a 24-3 run spanning just over 10 minutes to take control. Sarah Miller led the spurt with eight points, while the Night Hawks failed to register a field goal for more than six minutes, as the Gyrenes grabbed a 28-11 lead.

Ave Maria led 39-17 at the half and 57-35 at the end of three quarters.

The Gyrenes shot 68.2 percent (15-of-22) from the field in the final 20 minutes and 54.7 percent (29-of-53) overall in the game.

Thomas finished 11-of-16 from the free throw line, with Anderson going 4-of-4. The Night Hawks were 8-of-10 from the stripe after halftime.

Miller posted a double-double with 22 points on 10-of-12 shooting to go along with 11 rebounds. Lauren Gillingham scored 16 points and had six rebounds and six assists. Jasmine Bateman had 11 points.

Alisha Clayton and Kriza Allen each provided eight points off the bench for Thomas. Allen and Jewel Montisano grabbed five rebounds apiece. 

The Night Hawks travel to USCAA member Selma (Ala.) on Tuesday, Jan. 9, for their final non-conference tilt of the regular season at 6:30 p.m. ET. Thomas defeated the Bulldogs, 65-61, in the season opener inside TU Gymnasium on Oct. 30, 2017.