Box Score

WATERVILLE, ME- Thomas (12-9, 8-7 NAC) was able to overcome a slow start to defeat Johnson State (8-13, 6-8 NAC) 93-72, in a North Atlantic Conference (NAC) men's basketball contest on Friday night at Larry Mahaney Gymnasium.

The opening half saw eight lead changes in the early stages, with the Badgers leading by as many as seven at the 15:19 mark on a three-pointer by Asim Khan (Torrance, Calif.). Thomas would grab the lead for good in the ninth minute and never turn back, finishing the half with an 11 point advantage.

Khan led the opening stanza with 14 points, going 3-4 from the field and 2-2 from beyond the arc. Levi Barnes (Skowhegan, Maine) would have a team leading 11 points for the home-side going into the second half of play.

The second half would be much of the same, as Thomas never relinquished their lead. The victors would go up by as many as 26 on two occasions in the later stages of the contest. Jarrad DeVaughn (Brockton, Mass.) would finish with a game-high 23 points, going 8-15 from the field and 3-5 from downtown. Khan would have a team-high 18 for Johnson State in the loss.

Overall, Thomas shot 37-72 (51.4%) from the field, and 44% (11-25) from the perimeter. The Badgers shot 42.6% (26-61) from the court, while going 9-25 (36%) from the three-point line. Thomas held the advantage in rebounds 39-35 in the contest.

Thomas will return to the hardwood tomorrow for their last home contest of the season, hosting Lyndon State at 3pm. Earlier in the year, the Terriers fell to Lyndon in Vermont 88-72. Barnes had a team-high 15 points in the loss. Thomas is currently one game back from Lyndon in the conference standings, and a win for the Terriers would put them tied in the fifth seed.

Senior DeVaughn will be recognized prior to the contest, and Ray Bernier Jr. (Oakland, Maine) who is a graduate student, will be playing in his final home game (recognized last season as a senior).