Thomas turns in 32-point performance to give Wildcats win over Seahawks

NEWPORT, R.I. - Sophomore guard Lamonte Thomas [Providence, R.I.] scored 20 of his game-high 32 points in the first half as visiting Johnson & Wales University built a 28-point advantage at the break and coasted to a 71-53 victory over Salve Regina University at the Rodgers Recreation Center.

After Seahawk junior forward Dan Royce [Mahwah, N.J.] hit a pair of free throws at the 16:47 mark for a 10-8 Salve Regina lead, the Wildcats went on a 26-4 run over the next 10 minutes and put the game out of reach. Johnson & Wales hit seven 3-pointers in the first half, led by Thomas' four; he finished with eight on the night and the team drained a dozen to account for more than half of its total points.

It was the Wildcat pressure defense that produced 12 Seahawk turnovers in the first half and led to six fast break points, and 22 in the paint, meaning only two field goals came from outside the paint and inside the arc. Thomas finished 12-for-16 from the field (8-for-10 treys).

Sophomore guard Calvin Jones [Providence, R.I.] had 13 of his 15 points in the first half for Johnson & Wales while Royce finished with a team-high 19 points in just 24 minutes. The Wildcats distributed the ball well with a total of 21 assists, led by junior Lewis Ferreras [Providence, R.I.] with seven and sophomore Tavarius Roberson [Orlando, Fla.] with five.

Despite six losses in six games this season, Salve Regina (0-6) has been tied twice at the half and has outscored its opponents in four other contests. All 14 Seahawks played in tonight's game which had the home team outscore Johnson & Wales by 10 in the second half (34-24).

Johnson & Wales (2-4), winners of two straight, plays at GNAC foe Suffolk at 3 p.m. on Saturday while Salve Regina returns to the hardwood on Tuesday with a non-league game against in-state foe Rhode Island College (7:30 p.m.).