THOMASVILLE – The Thomas Night Hawks earned their first win of 2026 with a 77-68 victory over the ABAC Stallions on Saturday afternoon at the TU Gym.
It was the return matchup between the two teams which saw the Stallions win 83-75 in Tifton.
Early in the first, both teams traded blows; ABAC gained a slight edge, holding a 7-4 lead, but
Jonathan Goldson knocked down a three to tie the game at seven. Then a pair of free throws from
Shane Payne put Thomas ahead.
After an 8-0 run increased the Night Hawks lead to five, the Stallions began galloping back, as Bryce Wimberly made a layup and drew the contact for an and-one. Then Tommie Hall's layup tied the game at 12.
Later, as both teams struggled to find a bucket,
Tucker Rountree hit a free throw to break the tie for Thomas. However, the teams then traded the lead again until Wimberly tied the game again at 16.
ABAC proceeded to break the tie with an 18-17 lead. But a
Ryan Williams three quickly put the Night Hawks back in front by two.
Following a free throw from Williams to make it a three-point game, Matthew Mariena knocked down a three and then later hit a jumper to give the Stallions the advantage.
As the half continued, the teams went shot-for-shot. After a three from Mariena tied the game once again at 27. Next, Je'Hvonni Hogan dropped the hammer on Wimberly to regain the lead.
With 3:06 to go in the half, Mariena made a couple of free throws to bring the teams even, but then Payne drained a three to put Thomas ahead.
In the final seconds before half, Goldson put up a shot which missed, but
Armani Thomas fought for the ball and managed to tip it in as time expired to into the half with a 36-30 lead.
The Stallions came out of the locker room firing, as Wimberly knocked down a jumper and drew a foul for an and-one, then a possession later; Hall made a layup to make it a one-possession game.
Thomas kept ABAC at bay until a free throw tied the game once again. Later, after a shot from P.J. Matthews, put the Stallions ahead, Goldson knocked down a midrange jumper to put the Night Hawks back in front.
The shot sparked an 11-2 run, which expanded the lead to eight.
With 8:50 to go,
Armani Thomas hit a tough jumper to start another run which included a jumper from
Michael Smith and three from Williams, giving Thomas their largest lead of the game.
ABAC refused to go away, as they went on a quick six-point run to cut the lead to three. However, a pair of makes from Goldson and a layup from Thomas brought the lead back to nine.
The Stallions tried to rally once more, But the Night Hawks stood strong and went on to win.
Goldson ended with 18 points, eight rebounds, three assists, five steals and two blocks. The rebounds, steals and blocks were all season highs for Goldson.
Hogan recorded his best game to date, posting a double-double with season highs in points (14), rebounds (11), and assists (3).
Payne added 14 points off the bench, along with three assists. Finally, Smith finished with eight points, three steals, and six rebounds.
Thomas will be on the road next week, as they travel to face Point University on Thursday, January 8th at 7:30p.m.
