Game Information
Score: Keiser 68, Thomas 55
Records: Keiser (4-2, 1-0 TSC), Thomas (1-0, 0-0 TSC)
Location: Student Life Center, West Palm Beach, Fla.
Keiser Starters: Dyson (G), Smith (G), Trisic (G), Davis (F), Ash (C)
Thomas Starters:  Gilbert (G), Brown (G), Allen (G), Copeland (F), Clayton (C)

Keiser Highlights

• Nikki Saunders paced the offense this evening with 16 points off the bench including a perfect 7-7 from the field. Saunders also had four rebounds and four steals.
• Kelsi Ash and Donivan Dyson reached double figures with ten points apiece to lead the starters.
• Keiser held a 26-20 advantage on the defensive boards and finished the contest with 12 steals.

 
Turning Point
The turning point this evening came in the second quarter with the Seahawks trailing 17-13 and a Dyson jumper in the paint started an 11-0 run to take a 24-17 advantage.
 
How it Happened

• After the Seahawks controlled the first six minutes of the opening quarter, Thomas used a 6-0 spurt to take their first lead of 14-9 with 56 seconds remaining.
• Dyson and Ash then connected on jumpers but the Night Hawks kept a slim 15-13 advantage at the end of the quarter.
• Following a Thomas jumper to open the second, Keiser responded with an 11-0 run highlighted by seven points from Saunders to regain a 24-17 lead at the 6:59 mark.
• The Night Hawks closed to within 31-28 but KU claimed the next five points to lead 36-28 at the break.
• Thomas got as close as 38-34 when a Midori Long layup started an 11-0 run, capped off by five points from Aleksandra Trisic, upping the margin to 49-34 with 3:19 left in the quarter.
• With the score 51-40 Keiser, a free throw by Long helped the Seahawks score nine answered, stretching the lead to the largest of the game, 60-40, with 7:27 to go in the fourth.
• The Seahawks didn't allow Thomas any closer than 62-51 at the 3:54 mark when Kyrah James connected on a pair of baskets from beyond the arc, sealing the 68-53 conference opening victory.

 
Coach's Corner
Head Coach Pam Oswald said, "It is good to be able to see us connect some dots and get a stop and get a score when we needed it. We got to see some maturity develop and were still going through some growing pains and we need to consistently get better at doing the little things but tonight was a step in the right direction."
 
Team Leaders
Keiser
Points: Saunders (16)
Rebounds: Ash/Dyson (8)
Assists: Riley (6)
 
Thomas
Points: Allen (17)
Rebounds: Allen (7)
Assists: Brown (3)
 
Inside the Box Score

• Keiser had two players finish perfect from the field including Ash and Saunders.
• The Seahawks went 8-11 from the free throw line.
• KU scored 32 points in the paint this evening.

Ties: 1
Lead Changes: 1
Largest Lead: Keiser (20), Thomas (5)
 
Up Next
The Seahawks will square off against conference newcomer Coastal Georgia on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. in West Palm Beach.