TIFTON, Ga. – The Thomas Night Hawks bounced back from their season opener, defeating the Warner Royals 51-40 on Saturday morning.
Thomas fell behind in the first quarter, as Warner went on a six-point run to end the first 10 minutes. However, the Night Hawks came out swinging in the second. A three from Zyi'Kiera King, followed by a mid-range shot from Aaliyah Ringold, put them up by two.
The two teams traded the lead, until the Royals jumped out in front by three with 5:50 to go in the half.
A steal by Ringold and a jumper by LaTarius Montgomery off a Nandi Ramessar pass brought Thomas within one, but Warner pushed the lead back to three on a jumper.
The Night Hawks refused to back down; a free throw from Ringold cut the lead to two. Then, Kennedy Collins drained a three with a minute and 45 seconds left to go out in front. Destiny Hill added a mid-range jumper for good measure to take a three-point lead into the locker room.
Elicia Smith opened the scoring in the third quarter with a three and following a jumper from the Royals, Smith answered with a jumper of her own to bring the lead to six.
Montgomery added a three-pointer of her own to go up nine with 3:53 to go in the quarter. The third quarter was a defensive one as neither team for the final three minutes.
However, the final quarter was a different story. As Warner drained a couple of free throws, Smith knocked down another three-ball to go up by double-digits. A Royal three got them within six, but the Night Hawks held them at bay as a jumper, and free throw from Montgomery made it a nine-point game. Then, two triples in a row by Madison Sheppard gave Thomas a 15-point lead as they held on to win.
The victory marks the first career win for TU alum Jordan Booker.
Smith finished with 10 points, three boards and an assist. Montgomery ended with 11 rebounds, a steal, a block and assist with nine points. Finally, Hill had seven points, 10 rebounds and two assists.
The Night Hawks will face off against Warner again on the road on Wednesday, October 29th at 7:00p.m.
