Thomas Avenges Loss, Defeats Edward Waters College 59-51

THOMASVILLE, Georgia – It took overtime to do so, but the Thomas University men's basketball team avenged an early season loss to Edward Waters (3-4) this afternoon to close out the Second Annual TU Classic. The Night Hawks snapped a two game skid with the 59-51 victory.

Brent Crews' squad was once again led by the scoring duo of Adonai Rogers (15 points) and Javoris Cooks (14) as both made clutch threes down the stretch to hand Thomas their fourth win for their 2015-16 campaign.

Thomas outscored the Tigers 32-23 in the opening frame but struggled offensively in the second half (18.75% shooting from the field) allowing Edward Waters to chip into their lead. EWC tied the game at 40-40 with just under six minutes left in the contest and then took their first lead, 42-40, since the 10:50 mark in the first half when Prince Braynen dropped a floater just in front of the charity stripe.

TU battled back to take the 47-46 lead with 96 seconds left in regulation. In the winding minutes of the second half, the Tigers once again evened the game at 47-47 and immediately fouled Thomas' Jamison Williams with 12 ticks left on the clock. Williams sank both shots, but the Tigers once again tied the game, 49-49, with 8.5 seconds left in the game.

The Hunter Green and White held the final possession of regulation and Mike Lyons heaved up a prayer that fail just short of the basket, giving the crowd five more minutes of free basketball.

Down the stretch, the Night Hawk offense found its shooting accuracy again as Cooks and Bonds closed out the game outscoring the Tigers 10-2 for the 59-51 victory. Cooks made three of his last five shots, including two key three pointers, to propel the Night Hawks to the win.

The Night Hawks (4-3) return to action on Monday, Nov. 23 as they travel to Jacksonville, Fla., to face NCAA Division I foe Jacksonville University. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m.

By the Numbers:
2 – Days until Thomas faces Jacksonville University
2 – Night Hawks in double figures in scoring (Rogers & Cooks)
14 – Individual game high total of rebounds by Andrea Robinson
12 – Turnovers by Thomas
15 – Points scored by scoring leader Adonai Rogers
41 – Total rebounds by the Night Hawks
59 – Points scored by Thomas

For up-to-date information on this game and other TU Athletics, visit http://www.TUNightHawks.com. Stay up-to-date with news, scores, photos, game summaries, play-by play, and feature stories of your TU men's basketball team by following them via Twitter at @NightHawksMBKB.

BOX SCORE

Jason Hendrix | Sports Information Director
COURTESY THOMAS UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION