MARIETTA, Ga. – The Thomas University Men's basketball team trailed by as many as 12 points in the second half, but the Night Hawks fought back to ultimately prevail 78-74 over the Dalton State Roadrunners Saturday afternoon in a come-from-behind thriller at the Eagles' Nest.
 
Thomas (2-1) kept Night Hawk nation on the edge of their seats throughout the entire 40 minutes, but the Green & White did not disappoint.  For the second, straight contest, TU shot over 52% from the field, including a much better showing from outside the perimeter (compared to its previous game) at 36%.
 
Senior Guards Jordan Booker and Tim Williamson led the Night Hawks in scoring, each recording 15 apiece on the day.  While Booker tallied seven assists and five steals, Williamson was nearly perfect from the floor, shooting 6-for-7, missing one 3-ptr.
 
Once again, the contest began with Thomas' opponent jumping out to an early scoring run, as the Roadrunners (2-1) set the tone with a 10-2 lead through the first 2:18 of the game.  DS would keep a scoring difference that varied between seven to ten points for the majority of the first half.  Thomas would cut the score down to two possessions on two different occasions.  

Trailing 32-23 just under the eight-minute mark, TU converted on a Williamson trey before Sophomore Deonta Jones would follow up with a fast-break layup to cut the deficit to four.  The second instance came in the waning moments of the first half: After a good pair of free throws from Dalton State's Franklin Almonte put the Roadunners up 38-28 with 5:32 left, the Night Hawks went on an 11-4 scoring run in an effort to close the scoring gap that finished with a jumper from Senior Shakari Williams to make the score 42-39 at the 2:32 mark.
 
Thomas saw the first half end nearly the same way it did the previous night: a clutch 3-ptr. made within the final ten seconds.  It was Graduate Reggie Wright who capitalized on the trey, only trailing by five (48-43) as the Night Hawks headed into intermission.
 
Through the first 5:27 of the second half, Dalton State would once again build a lead, this time pushing the scoring margin to its largest lead of the night with a 62-50 lead over Thomas.  With a 12-point lead, the momentum quickly went south for the Roadrunners, as the Night Hawks went on a fierce 16-0 scoring run for the next six minutes of the contest to grab its first lead of the day, 66-62 with 8:49 left in regulation.
 
With a tight 73-69 lead for TU at the 1:33 mark, Dalton State's Rodley Adjei fought through a foul to convert on a basket for the And1 and completed the three-point play to bring the contest 73-72.  Williamson would be fouled on the next possession, converting only on one of two free throws in that set to bring the Night Hawks' lead back up by a basket.  The Roadrunners ran down the court quickly, and with a good jumper, tied the contest at 74 apiece with 62 seconds remaining.
 
On TU's next possession, it appeared that the Night Hawks were about to squander its chance for a win as the Roadrunners stole away the ball, but a missed layup for DS gave the Green & White new life, forcing the Navy & Silver to foul.  Junior Trint Bryant made two clutch free throws to retake the lead for Thomas 76-74 with 26 seconds left.  Needing a basket to tie the contest, Dalton State missed another critical layup at the 0:09 mark that was rebounded by Bryant who once again nailed two more free-throws to ice the contest and secure the 78-74 win.
 
After allowing Dalton State to shoot over 43% from the field, the TU defense stifled the Roadrunners' scoring offense, only allowing just under 32% from the field including 20% from long range.
 
TU by the Numbers
3:        Players Scoring Double-Digits
4:        Largest Lead of the Night
9:        Team 3-Ptrs. Made
11:      Night Hawks Registering Points
23:      Team Field Goals Made
41:      Bench Points
78:      Points Scored
 
The Night Hawks return to the hardwood Tuesday, as the team returns to Cochran, Ga. to face the Knights of Middle Georgia State.  Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
 
For up-to-date information on games 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.