MOUNT VERNON, Ga. – The Thomas Night Hawks toughed out a win against the Brewton-Parker Christian Lady Barons in SSAC action on Saturday afternoon.
The Night Hawks found themselves behind the 8-ball early as the Lady Barons jumped out to an 11-4 lead in the first. However, Thomas began to get out the hole as Kennedy Collins hit a jumper, and Ameari Logan made a layup off a Destiny Hill pass to cut the deficit to three.
On the other end, Brewton-Parker knocked down a three to make it a six-point game, but Collins answered with one of her own to keep it at three. Later, the Lady Barons increased their lead to six again, following a free throw and a midrange jumper with 1:32 left in the quarter.
But the Night Hawks continued to fight, as Logan made a layup, and then Hill made a jumper to make it a one-possession game as the quarter came to an end.
In the second, Thomas wasted no time as Aaliyah Ringold found Logan for another layup to tie the game at 17, then Logan fed the ball down to LaTarius Montgomery in the post for a layup to take the lead.
However, baskets were a rare commodity throughout the quarter as both teams turned on the defensive pressure. But Thomas was able to extend the lead to double-digits with 3:54 left in the half.
Following a layup from Hill, Logan knocked down another layup with 48 seconds to go to carry a 31-21 advantage going into the locker room.
After the break, Brewton-Parker opened the half on a 9-0 run, capped off with a three to bring them within one. Next, Montgomery a few free throws to make it a four-point game, But the Lady Barons kept the deficit manageable.
With 26 seconds to go, a layup from Brewton-Parker tied the game at 40. However, a last second layup from Hill put the Night Hawks up by two going into the final quarter.
Montgomery began the fourth with a shot to make it a two-possession game, but the Lady Barons came right back with a three to cut it to one. But Collins drained a deep shot of her own to bring right back to four.
Next, Logan added a layup to extend the lead to six. But Brewton-Parker soon pulled within three with 6:17 to go. But another three from Collins pushed the lead back to six.
Following a jumper from the Lady Barons to cut it down to four, However, Ringold found Montgomery down low for a layup. Additionally, Hill made a free throw and then a layup to give Thomas a 10-point lead with 2:10 left in the game.
From there, the Night Hawks pulled away for the 70-58 victory over Brewton-Parker.
Montgomery finished with 17 points, eight rebounds, and two steals while shooting 60 percent from the field.
Collins also had 17 points with four rebounds and a pair of steals.
Hill recorded her fourth double-double of the season, posting 16 points and 10 rebounds along with three steals and three assists.
Logan ended the day with 14 points, three rebounds and six assists, reaching season highs in points and assists.
Thomas will return home to face (RV) William Carey on Thursday, January 15th at 5:30 p.m in a matchup between the top two teams in the SSAC standings.
