MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Thomas Night Hawks put together a late rally but ultimately fell short, losing to Faulkner at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl on Wednesday afternoon.
Trailing by as many as 19 points in the fourth quarter, Thomas outscored Faulkner 22-20 in the final period, led by
Jasmyn Studamire's team-high 17 points and 13 rebounds. Studamire was key in the late push, hitting a three-pointer and converting inside as Thomas chipped away at the deficit.
Kennedy Collins added 12 points, all coming from beyond the arc, while
LaTarius Montgomery contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Destiny Hill added eight points and six rebounds for the Night Hawks, who struggled to find an offensive rhythm early, shooting just 38.2 percent from the field.
Faulkner took control early with a 20-11 first-quarter lead, fueled by Dee Guinn's hot shooting. Guinn finished with 17 points, including four three-pointers. The Eagles built a 38-21 halftime advantage behind their perimeter shooting, knocking down 11 three-pointers on the night.
Despite a stronger second half, Thomas was unable to overcome its early struggles and Faulkner's defensive pressure, which forced 13 turnovers. The Night Hawks were also outrebounded on the offensive glass 17-16, limiting second-chance opportunities.
The loss ends what was the best season for the team since 2018 when they went 10-19, The Night Hawks also made their first appearance in the SSAC Conference tournament and made it to the postseason for the first time since the 2017-2018 season.
