THOMASVILLE, Ga. – The Thomas University women's basketball team earned its first victory of the season Thursday, defeating Columbia International University, 64-51, at the TU Gymnasium.
 
After falling behind 20-9 in the first quarter, and trailing by 10 at the half, the Night Hawks battled back into the game with a huge second half, outscoring the Rams 45-22.
 
Following a tough first half, Thomas turned around its game in every way in the second period. TU hit 40.0 percent (14-35) of its shots in the second half after shooting a rough 24.1 percent (7-29) in the first stanza. The Night Hawks turned it over 12 times in the first half and just a trio of times in the second period. Thomas hit seven shots in the first half, and 14 in the second, and knocked down 13-of-14 from the stripe in the second, following just five makes at the line in the first.
 
Lenise Santiago again led the Night Hawks in scoring, posting 25 points while hitting all 10 of her free throw attempts. Mahogany Menefee put up 21 points, five rebounds, three steals and two assists while Dejah Wilson had a solid game with 13 rebounds, five steals and five assists.
 
Thomas racked up 15 steals, forcing 23 turnovers, and outrebounded CIU 46-41. The Night Hawks D held the Rams to just 17.4 percent (4-23) from long range.
 
Thomas fell to CIU in this year's season opener, 68-55, in Columbia, S.C.
 
The victory was TU's first since upsetting Sun Conference foe Keiser University on Nov. 11, 2021, and just the third victory since Feb. 4, 2021, when TU defeated Warner University.
 
Thomas, now 1-10 on the season, will travel to Marietta, Ga., to play Life University Dec. 19 at 5:30 p.m.,   then hosts Middle Georgia State University on New Year's Eve at 2 p.m. at the TU Gymnasium.