THOMASVILLE, Ga. --- Leading 28-23 entering the third quarter, the Lady Gyrenes went cold in the second half as Thomas rallied to defeat the Ave Maria women's basketball team 68-56. The game was the conference opener for both teams.
 
Taylor Lindsey led the Blue and Green with 25 points on 7-of-18 shooting including four three pointers. She was 7-of-8 from the free throw line. Saje Schlatterer added 13 points and five assists for AMU.
 
Ave Maria shot 26.7 percent from the floor for the game and shot just 15.4 percent in the second half. AMU was outrebounded 50-27.
 
Thomas was led by Bria Joyner-Williams who recorded a double-double with 20 points and 13 rebounds. She also had five steals. Shaunice Bennett had 15 points for Thomas.
 
The Night Hawks held a 19-1 edge on second chance points and a 28-10 advantage on points in the paint.
 
The Lady Gyrenes' first three baskets of the game came via the three-ball to give AMU a 9-8 lead midway through the opening quarter. The Blue and Green ended the first quarter on a 7-0 run capped by a three by Lauren Gillingham to take a 16-10 lead.
 
Thomas took advantage of a few Gyrene turnovers in the opening minutes of the second quarter to pull within one, 16-15, at the 6:29 mark. The Lady Gyrenes responded with a 12-3 run to extend its advantage to 10. A pair of baskets by Thomas in the final two minutes of the half made the score 28-23 in favor of the Lady Gyrenes heading to the break.
 
AMU continued to hold a slim lead early in the second half before a jumper by Thomas at the 6:10 mark gave the Night Hawks a 33-32 edge. After AMU retook the lead, Thomas went on a 6-0 run to take a 40-34 lead with 4:13 to play in the quarter. A three by Lindsey would cut the deficit to one, 46-45, heading to the fourth.
 
The Lady Gyrenes went just 2-of-16 in the fourth quarter from the field as Thomas was able to close out the game 68-56.
 
Ave Maria returns to the court on Wednesday night when they welcome Keiser to Tom Golisano Field House. The game will tip at 6 p.m.