Box Score
New Orleans, LA-The Belhaven women's basketball team lost at Southern University at New Orleans in Gulf Coast Athletic Conference action on Saturday night by a final of 58-53. The Blazers rallied late to pull within two points in the final minute after trailing by 10 points at halftime, but the Knights cashed in on some late free throws to secure the victory.

Belhaven (11-6, 2-4 GCAC) got off to a slow start and in the first seven minutes of the game as SUNO was able to build a 19-9 advantage after a pair of Jazzlyn Prince free throws. The Blazers then went on a 10-5 run to climb to within five points of the Knights with just over five minutes remaining in the first half. SUNO (8-4, 2-4 GCAC) then pushed their lead back to double digits late in the first period on free throws by Tyesha Robinson giving the Knights a 34-24 edge when the first half buzzer sounded.

In the first ten minutes of the second half, Belhaven got back into the contest and methodically trimmed the deficit to two points at 40-38 with 10:32 left in the game. Octavia Mullins grabbed one of her team high 13 rebounds and raced to the other end of the floor to pull the Blazer within one possession. Three minutes later Belhaven found themselves with a 45-44 lead thanks to a Karli Kenley layup off an assist from Jessica Barlow.

The Knights then jumped back on top and built a six point edge until the Blazers came back to get to within two at 55-53 with 34 seconds in the game. The Blazers best chance to tie the game came on a three point shot by Stasha Thomas with 19 seconds left after a free throw LaTiondra Smith gave the Knights a 56-53 lead. Unfortunately, Thomas's triple was off the mark and Robinson iced the game away for SUNO at the free throw line on the ensuing possession.

Belhaven had three players score in double figures and were led by Brittany Carr with 13 points. Karli Kenley added 11 points and Jessica Barlow finished the night with 10 points. The Blazers shot 39.3 percent from the field, hit on 8.3 percent of their free throw opportunities, and converted on 47.1 percent of their attempts at the charity stripe. Belhaven was plagued by turnovers with 25 while forcing 19 SUNO errors. The Blazers won the battle of the boards 43-33, but the turnovers proved to be very costly as the Knights scored 25 of their 58 points off the miscues.

The Knights got a good performance from Prince who scored a game high 18 points on 7 of 17 shooting from the field. She also paced the Knights with eight rebounds and tallied five assists. Tyesha Robinson followed with 12 points and Jessica Adams finished the night with 10 points. As a team, SUNO made good on 37.7 percent of their field goals, 44.4 percent of their three point attempts, and connected on 70 percent of their chances at the free throw line.

Belhaven will return home on Monday night when they play host to Spring Hill College in another GCAC matchup. The tipoff in Rugg Arena is slated for 5:30 PM.