Game Information
Score: Keiser 65, Thomas 56
Records: Keiser (4-2, 1-0), Thomas (2-4, 0-1)
Location: TU Gymnasium, Thomasville, GA
Keiser Starters: Rodriguez (G), Dyson (G), Sanabria (G), Saunders (F), Long (F)
Thomas Starters: Garvin (G), Gilbert (G), Clayton (G), Brown (F), Johnson (F)

Keiser Highlights

• The Seahawks used stifling defense in the second and start of the third quarters, holding Thomas to zero field goals in 13:10 minutes.
• Three starters finished in double figures led by Antigonie Sanabria's game-best 21 points. Donivan Dyson chipped in 11 points and Midori Long had ten.
• Long notched her third double-double of the season, finishing with 17 rebounds.
• Nikki Saunders just missed on her first double-double of the season, ending with eight points and ten rebounds.

Turning Point
Defense was the theme of the game for the Seahawks as Keiser held Thomas without a field goal for 20 minutes during two big stretches. Thomas did not tally a field goal during the entire second quarter and opening 3:10 of the third. In the fourth, it took the Night Hawks seven minutes to drain their first bucket.
 
How it Happened

• Thomas clung to an early 7-2 advantage when Sanabria connected from long range to get within two at the 7:12 mark.
• Following five unanswered points from the Night Hawks, Rodriguez laid the ball in to start a 7-0 run, tying the game at 12-12 with 4:47 left in the opening quarter.
• However, TU closed the period on a 12-3 run to lead 24-15, heading into the second quarter.
• Keiser held Thomas without a basket during the second quarter while outscoring them 14-1 to lead 29-25 at halftime.
• The Seahawks defense picked up where it left off in the second quarter as Thomas didn't connect on a field goal until there was 6:50 showing on the scoreboard, trialing 33-25.
• Thomas then used a 10-0 run to reclaim a 35-33 lead but Dyson quickly hit a jumper, tying the score at 35-35 with 4:36 to go in the quarter.
• After trading baskets, KU tallied eight of the final eleven points of the quarter to lead 44-40 with ten minutes left in regulation.
• Keiser stifled Thomas over the opening seven minutes, holding TU without a field goal, while outscoring the Night Hawks 10-2 to lead 54-42.
• The Seahawks led by a game-best 14 points, 60-46, on a tip-in from Sanabria at 1:50 mark and went on to win by a final of 65-56.

 
Inside the Box Score

• Keiser forced 20 turnovers on the night, leading to 18 points.
• The Seahawks outrebounded Thomas 54-45 including a 19-14 edge on the offensive side.
• KU tallied 12 points in the paint and got nine points from their bench.
• The Seahawks were 22-of-32 at the charity stripe.

 
Game Notes

• This was the second straight season that these two teams opened conference play against each other.
• Keiser is now 3-1 in TSC openers under head coach Pam Oswald.
• The Seahawks lead the all-time series against Thomas 7-5.
• Long finished with 17 rebounds for a third time this season. The 17 boards are her career-best.

Coach's Corner
Coach Oswald said, " Defensively we really tightened up in the second quarter to contest there three point shooters and make it hard for them to look inside. Our players were locked in to constant defensive switches, which was key. Anytime you get a win in conference and especially on the road is a step in the right direction. It's always a battle to play here, so we will take that win and prepare for Coastal."
  
Ties: 2
Lead Changes: 3
Largest Lead: Keiser (14), Thomas (9)
 
Team Leaders
Keiser
Points: Sanabria (21)
Rebounds: Long (17)
Assists: Dyson (3)
 
Thomas
Points: Garvin (20)
Rebounds: Clayton (12)
Assists: Six Tied (1)
 
Up Next
Keiser remains in Georgia to take on Coastal Georgia on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. in Brunswick, GA.