NAIA

SUN Showdown Georgia-Style: TU Set to Face Mariners

THOMASVILLE, Ga. – The Thomas University Men's basketball team will conclude the first round robin of SUN games Saturday afternoon, as the team heads east to take on the Coastal Georgia Mariners for a chance to even its conference record by the midway point.
 
Thanks to a 68-67 win over Warner, TU (9-8, 3-4 SUN) could potentially be in the thick of the conference race if the Night Hawks can extend its win streak in Brunswick, Ga.  The Green & White shot well from the field (.451) and from the charity stripe (.788) the previous weekend.  Defensively, Thomas had another stellar showing in its last outings, finishing last weekend averaging 59 points a game.  As a result, the Night Hawks head into Saturday's contest with SUN's best scoring defense (67.9).
 
While the Night Hawks' scoring defense continues to be successful, scoring the rock continues to be a struggling point for Thomas, averaging just over 65 points a contest.  Nevertheless, Saturday's contest against the Mariners will provide an opportunity for the Green & White to put up points against a defense that averages 77 points allowed a game.  
 
Senior Guard Tim Williamson continues to lead Thomas in point production (13.8 points a game), as Sophomore Guard Deonta Jones has gelled into the Night Hawks' scoring attack, averaging 14 points between Warner and Webber International.  The Quincy, Fla. now averages nearly 49% from the floor on the season, shooting nearly 60% since Faulkner swung by the Rose City December 11th.
 
CCGA (6-8, 1-6 SUN) may have had a rough start in conference play, but the Mariners took advantage of a struggling Royals' team, blowing out Warner 89-72 at home that included exemplary long-range shooting (.435).  Coastal Georgia will look to its 3-pt. game to gain an edge over the Night Hawks, as the Mariners average 8.8 made treys a contest (second-best in SUN).  CCGA's perimeter defense is as equally keen, allowing just 30.4% of shots from long range.
 
Jordon Parks leads the Mariners in both scoring (13.1 points per game) and boards (6.7), coming off a 20-point performance against the Royals.  CCGA's long-range attack has been handled by transfers Diamond Smith and Nigel Lawson Jr.  Smith averages 40% from downtown, as Lawson has hit over 35% of shots.
 
The overall series between Thomas and Coastal Georgia has been fairly balanced, but the Night Hawks hold a slim 8-6 overall lead, taking every other contest from the Mariners in the last seven matches.
 
Tipoff at Coffin Gym is set for 4 p.m.  Fans unable to attend the game can follow the action live by accessing the links below:
 
Live Video

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