THOMASVILLE, Ga. – In a highly competitive match, St. Thomas (3-3, TSC 0-1) succumbed to Thomas (Ga.) (8-0, TSC 1-0) in the waning minutes, losing by the score of 66-58.  The Nighthawks outscored the Bobcats 13-3 in the final six minutes to secure the victory.  The matchup marked the conference opener for both teams.

The Nighthawks played a balanced first half, with four of their five starters scoring.  Their efforts built them a double-digit lead in the early goings, leading by as many as 11 points. 

Sensing the need for change, Coach Gayle subbed in Christian Joseph.  The freshman provided a much needed spark, quickly scoring eight points to get the Bobcats back in the match.  

St. Thomas finished a 29-18 run to end the half.  Lorel Beckford's nine first-half points were also instrumental in the Bobcats comeback run.  He hit two critical free throws at the end of the half to tie the match at 36.

The two teams continued to trade baskets during the second half, in what was a defensive struggle for most of the period.  The last six minutes proved to be the Bobcats undoing, allowing a series of misses and turnovers to be converted into Thomas points. 

Starting with a Beckford turnover, the Nighthawks Marcus Humose hit a three-pointer to put Thomas up 56-55.  Thomas would soon add to the lead as another Bobcat turnover led to another Marcus Humose bucket. 

Humose continued his efforts on the defensive end.  He forced Mikon Hewitt into a turnover that sparked the Nighthawks' fast break, culminating in a bucket from Adonai Rogers. 

With the Bobcats desperately needing a field goal, Beckford tried to cut into the Thomas lead with a three-pointer of his own, but missed.  On the other end, Max Grace hit a three-pointer for Thomas to increase their lead to 63-55, essentially sealing the Bobcats fate. 

St. Thomas would add another three points thanks to a Michael Walker jumper from behind the arc.  However, the Nighthawks sank three more free throws to make their victory official.

The Bobcats had two players in double figures, Michael Walker (17 points, two rebounds) and Lorel Beckford (14 points, six rebounds), but needed more of a balanced effort to match Thomas.  The Nighthawks had a quartet of players with double figures, led by Rodney Sturkie (14 points, two rebounds), Alan Love (12 points, six rebounds), Max Grace (11 points, three rebounds), and Marcus Humose (10 points, three rebounds).

The Bobcats return to action on Saturday, December 6th, to face Southeastern University at the Fernandez Family Center.