HATTIESBURG, Miss. — Thomas University fell behind early and was unable to recover Wednesday night, dropping a 90–59 decision to William Carey in Southern States Athletic Conference play.
Thomas started strong, showing energy on both ends of the floor and briefly taking an 8–5 lead behind a steal and score from LaTarius Montgomery and a jumper by Ameari Logan. But the momentum shifted quickly. William Carey answered with a 9–0 run, sparked by
Leah Sutton, whose basket cut the deficit to one before
Alyssa Hillard knocked down a three-pointer to put the Lady Crusaders ahead 10–8.
From there, the Crusaders continued to push. A jumper by
Anna Rose Engle and a layup from
Bailey Devall stretched the lead to 14–8, and Carey carried a 20–13 advantage into the first-quarter break.
The second quarter leaned even further in William Carey's favor as Thomas struggled to contain the scoring trio of
Meyah Doyle,
Madelyn Ladner, and
Jenna Garriga. Doyle opened the period with a jumper, and although Destiny Hill answered at the other end, the Crusaders' perimeter shooting widened the gap. Garriga's three-pointer at the 7:53 mark pushed the lead to nine, and baskets by Sherer and Ladner extended it to 31–20.
Thomas managed occasional bursts of offense — highlighted by a fast-break layup from Zyi'Kiera King and a three-pointer from Aaliyah Ringold — but Carey closed the half strong and took a 41–29 lead into halftime.
The Crusaders broke the game open in the third quarter, outscoring Thomas 21–11. Garriga and Sherer remained hot from the field, while Ladner controlled the boards and created second-chance opportunities. Hill and Logan battled inside for Thomas, scoring on several drives, but the Night Hawks were unable to string together defensive stops as the deficit grew to 62–40 heading into the fourth.
William Carey sealed the victory with a dominant final period powered by its bench.
Presley Thompson and
Charlie Gamberine combined for four three-pointers in the quarter, fueling a 28–19 scoring edge and putting the game out of reach.
Ladner led the Crusaders with 14 points and seven assists, while Garriga and Sherer each added 12. Doyle chipped in 10 points.
William Carey returns to action on Saturday, February 7, hosting Abraham Baldwin in SSAC play. Tip-off is set for 12:00 p.m. at Clinton Gym.
