THOMASVILLE, Ga. – The Thomas University men's basketball team took No. 19 Warner University to the wire Thursday night, but ultimately fell, 81-78, to the Royals. 

Thomas falls to 11-11 overall and 7-7 in the Sun Conference while Warner improves to 18-7, 11-2. 

Three of Thomas' next four opponents are listed in the NAIA Top 25 Coaches Poll: No. 19 Warner, RV Ave Maria (Feb. 7), and No. 13 Southeastern (Feb. 9). 

Joshua Scott put up 23 points, his second-straight 20-point game and ninth of the season, and pulled down seven rebounds. Cedric Wright led the team with nine rebounds and added 13 points. Shaquille Holley handed out a team high four assists. 

Thomas trailed, 41-36, after the first half, but after trailing by as many as eight early in the second, the Night Hawks battled back to take the 53-52 lead at 11:48. For the next three minutes, TU kept the score to a 3-point game, then at 8:48, Warner went ahead by five. Kadeem Webb hit a three at 8:14 to draw the margin within two, then Warner extended to as many as six with 1:14 remaining. 

Scott was fouled on a 3-point attempt with 18 seconds remaining, and knocked down all three free throws to make the score 77-74. Then the fouling game began and Warner hit a pair to lead, 79-74 with 16 seconds left. Trint Bryant hit a jumper with nine seconds on the clock (79-76), then Warner converted its final two free throws before Scott hit a layup with two seconds left.  

Thomas hosts Webber International (Fla.) Saturday at 4 p.m. for Senior Day.