THOMASVILLE, Ga. – The energy from an upset win two days prior poured over into Saturday evening at the TU Gymnasium, as the Thomas University Men's basketball team used its defensive efforts to defeat the Webber International Warriors 65-51 to go back over .500 on the season for the first time since December 2nd.
 
The Night Hawks (9-8, 3-4 SUN) set the second-fewest points allowed in program history, limiting the Warriors (7-11, 2-4 SUN) to under 40% from the floor.  TU once again shot exactly 50% in the half en route to an overall 48.1% field percentage.  From the charity stripe, the Night Hawks shot its second-highest season mark, going 10-for-12 (83.3%).
 
Thomas cashed in on careless possessions from Webber, creating a season-high 24 turnovers.
 
Senior Guard Trint Bryant led all scorers with 17 points shooting 8-for-11.  Sophomore Deonta Jones posted a career-high 15 points, shooting 62.5% from the court.  Senior Guard Tim Williamson finished the day with a double-double, recording 12 points with 11 boards.
 
For nearly the first 11 minutes, the contest was eerily similar to the Night Hawks' previous one, as TU once again trailed by 15 points (23-8) at the 9:33 mark before the Green & White responded with a fierce 22-4 run over the next seven and a half minutes to go ahead 30-27 with 2:07 left in the half.  After a good basket on the ensuing possession and a Thomas hiccup gave the lead back to WIU (31-30), Jones finished the half with an emphatic And1 that gave TU a 33-31 halftime lead.
 
It took Webber one minute and three seconds to retake the lead off a made 3-Ptr. before the Thomas defense clamped down on the Warriors, spending the next 14:05 on another impressive scoring run (26-8) to post a 59-42 lead with just over three minutes left.  The Warriors would finish the game outscoring TU 9-6 as the Night Hawks picked up win number nine with a 65-51 victory.
 
TU by the Numbers
3:        SUN wins
4:        Players in double figures
9:        Season wins
11:      Straight games with Tim Williamson in double figures
12:      Overall wins over Webber
20:      Second-half points allowed
23:      Rebounds (fewest this season)
24:      Forced turnovers
29:      Point turnaround to give TU the win
51:      Points allowed
65:      Team Points
 
The Night Hawks will spend the next four contests on the road, beginning with in-state rival Coastal Georgia.  Tipoff against the Mariners is scheduled for 4 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.