News Release

WESTERVILLE, OH — Thomas More's inside duo of senior R.K. Thurman and E.J. Haynes combined for 40 points and 22 rebounds, but it wasn't enough as the Saints fell in overtime of the Smokey Ballenger "O" Club Classic to Nazareth, 89-83.

Thurman, a 6-6 forward, reached season-highs with 21 points and 13 rebounds for his second double-double of the season, while the 6-9 Haynes just missed a double-double - scoring 19 points and grabbing nine rebounds. He added a team-high three blocks in the game.

Junior Michael Selm scored 10 points off the bench, scoring in double figures for the second straight time. Freshman Charles Kinney (Erlanger/Lloyd) turned in his best performance of the season, scoring nine points and dishing out a team-high five assists.

The Saints shot 45 percent from the field, but was ultimately done in by their woes at the charity stripe as the connected on 58 percent (21-of-36) from the line. In contrast, Nazereth made 85 percent of their free throws, including 7-of-9 in the overtime session.

Thomas More had two chances at the end of the overtime to send the game to another extra session, but three pointers were missed by Kinney and Ed Thornton. From there, Nazereth put the game on ice from the line.

Conference play looms for the Saints (0-12) as they will return to the court Saturday, January 7 when they host preseason PAC favorite Bethany at 3 p.m. The game will free for all kids 14 and under, and there will be an appearance by the official NCAA mascot, J.J. Jumper

12/30/05 3:10 p.m. at Westerville, Ohio
At Westerville, Ohio

NAZARETH COLLEGE 89, THOMAS MORE COLLEGE 83

THOMAS MORE COLLEGE ((0-12))
R.K. Thurman 7-12 7-10 21; E.J. Haynes 7-14 5-10 19; Michael Selm 3-7 1-2
10; Charles Kinney 4-6 1-2 9; Ed Thornton 3-9 2-2 8; Mark Lucas 2-3 1-2 6;
Jeremy Abell 1-6 2-4 4; Matt Tierney 1-1 1-2 3; Brandon Bolden 1-6 0-0 2;
Mason O'Hara 0-0 1-2 1; Kiefer Clarke 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 29-64 21-36 83.

NAZARETH COLLEGE ((3-5))
Joe Canori 12-24 6-8 34; Ryan McAdam 10-20 6-7 28; Tyler Smith 6-11 0-0 12;
Kyle Nelson 2-7 4-4 8; Justin Fladd 0-0 4-4 4; Caswell Smith 0-4 3-4 3; Mike
DeBlois 0-0 0-0 0; Nick Bozzelli 0-0 0-0 0; Jeff DeHimer 0-0 0-0 0; Matt
Groot 0-0 0-0 0; Leon Hill 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 30-66 23-27 89.

Thomas More College...........   34   42    7  -   83
Nazareth College..............   37   39   13  -   89

3-point goals-Thomas More College 4-17 (Michael Selm 3-7; Mark Lucas 1-2;
Charles Kinney 0-1; Ed Thornton 0-2; Jeremy Abell 0-2; Brandon Bolden 0-3),
Nazareth College 6-14 (Joe Canori 4-8; Ryan McAdam 2-6). Fouled out--Thomas
More College-Michael Selm, Nazareth College-Tyler Smith. Rebounds-Thomas
More College 38 (R.K. Thurman 13), Nazareth College 40 (Tyler Smith 11).
Assists-Thomas More College 18 (Charles Kinney 5), Nazareth College 19
(Caswell Smith 5). Total fouls-Thomas More College 21, Nazareth College 23.