THOMASVILLE, Ga. – The Thomas University women's basketball team lost, 65-56, to Keiser University in the Sun Conference opener Thursday night at TU Gymnasium. 

After taking a 24-15 lead in the first quarter, Thomas went 1-of-11 from the field and 0-of-3 at the line to score just two points in the second, and fall behind, 29-25, at the half. TU tried to catch up, but Keiser outscored the Night Hawks 36-30 in the second half to earn the nine-point win.

Senior Micah Garvin was one rebound shy of her second-straight double-double, scoring 20 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Sophomore Alisha Clayton pulled down her season best 12 rebounds and junior Jewel Montisano swiped a team high steals for TU. 

Thomas' bench players scored 24 of its 56 points: Junior Ashley Bostick (8), Montisano (7), junior Sharai Larry (5) and junior Akasha Williams (4). 

The Night Hawks jumped out to a seven point lead over the first four minutes, but Keiser stormed back to tie the game at 12 with four minutes to play in the first. TU went on a 12-3 run to end the half and take the 24-15 lead. 

The Seahawks scored one point in the first three minutes of the second quarter, then started chipping away at the margin. A 3-pointer by Keiser with seven minutes remaining in the period kickstarted a 13-1 run and four-point halftime lead. 

Thomas fought back in the third quarter, taking a two-point, 35-33, lead midway through the stanza. The teams traded leads, then Keiser went ahead, 45-40, heading into the final quarter.

Keiser led by as many as 14 with 1:23 left in the game, but Thomas kept battling, as Garvin hit a trey with seven second left to cut the final margin to nine. 

The Night Hawks continue Sun Conference play on Saturday, facing Johnson & Wales at 2 p.m. at the TU Gymnasium.