THOMASVILLE, Ga. – As the second half of SUN Conference begins this weekend, the Thomas University Men's basketball team will travel to West Palm Beach, Fla. Saturday to take on Keiser in hopes of a sweep over the Seahawks.
 
After propelling momentum over the New Year, TU (9-9, 3-5 SUN) took a major step backwards last time out, falling to Coastal Georgia 68-60 in a game that would have put the Night Hawks in a tie for fifth in the conference standings.  Thomas was unable to take on the Mariners with full strength Saturday, only playing with eight players that included a fourth appearance from Freshman Guard Micah Stinson.  The Green & White were also without their Guards in Reggie Wright and Keon Williams.  Even in losses, however, the Green & White continue to show impressive feats.  Senior Guard Jordan Booker became the first SUN Conference player to boast a double-double with a Points-Steals combo (16 and 10 respectively). 
 
The Night Hawks are not the only team struggling at the midway point of conference play.  Keiser (10-9, 4-5 SUN) has also not played at full strength, missing key players in Antonio Spencer and Quinton Glaspie in the paint, along with 3-point specialist Marko Radulovic in a recent 60-48 win over Coastal Georgia.  The Seahawks have dropped two of its last three contests, just averaging over 63 points.
 
While the record may not prove KU's full force, the team is a consistent scoring machine, averaging over 44% from the floor and 37.4% from long range.  The Seahawks are as equally consistent from the free-throw line, leading SUN with a 72.7% conversion rate.
 
One key for Thomas to get back on track will be to once again shut down Keiser's leading scorer Core'Von Lott, averaging 14.2 points a game.  With Booker spying the native of Chicago, Ill., Lott has struggled against the Night Hawks, averaging 4.7 points in each game against Thomas. 
 
As a whole, TU will look to create forced turnovers to provide extra scoring chances.  While Night Hawk opponents average 16 turnovers a game this season, the Seahawks in particular have averaged nearly 17 turnovers a game against Thomas dating back to the 2017-18 season.
 
Although the Green & White will attempt to win its third, straight contest over the Seahawks, Keiser continues to hold a strong series lead, 12-6, over the Night Hawks.
 
Tipoff at the Rollie Massimino Court at Countess de Hoernle Student Life Center is scheduled for 4 p.m.  Fans unable to attend the game can follow the live action through the links below:
 
Live Stats
 
Live Video
 
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.