Box Score
Jackson, MS- Belhaven women's basketball team defeated Lyon College Thursday night in Rugg Arena in their first game of the Belhaven Classic by the final score of 68-58. The Blazers baited Lyon into 24 turnovers on the night and were able to come up with seven defensive blocks. 

Belhaven (8-4) had four players in double figures on the night. Kiara Johnson who is averaging 11.3ppg led the way for the Blazers with a team high 22 points and six steals. Jessica Barlow had 15 points and a team high nine rebounds. Regena Jackson turned in 13 points and a team high seven assists while Sarah Carr followed Jackson with 12 points on the night. 

The Blazers played a solid game shooting 48.1% in the first half of the contest from the floor and were perfect from the free-throw line which helped build a 30-10 lead at the break. The Blazers finished the game shooting 40.7% from the field and 72% from the charity stripe. Belhaven outscored the Scots in the paint 36-28 and were able to convert 32 points off of Lyon turnovers. 

Lyon College (7-4) was led on the offensive side of the floor by K.K. Hodges who had 16 points. Lauren Ramsey turned in 11 points while Farrah Turner chipped in 8 points. The Scotts shot 40.7% from the field, 35.3% from three point land and 50% from the free throw line on the night. 

The Blazers got off to a quick start in the contest taking an 11-2 lead at the 16:20 mark. A layup by Sarah Carr at the 11:05 mark gave the Blazers a commanding 17 point lead at 19-2. Kiara Johnson came up with a steal with just three seconds left in the first half and scored a layup as time expired to give the Blazers a 20 point edge to take into the locker room at 30-10. 

Lyon College fought back in the second half going on a 8-0 run to open up the final period and cut the Blazers lead to twelve 30-18. The Blazers responded with a 13-0 run of their own putting them up 26 with 15:48 left on the clock. Phagen Altom then hit a three for the Scotts to cut the deficit to 12 at the 11:05 mark. K.K. Hodges then made a layup at 4:49 to cut the lead to four 53-49. Kiara Johnson converted a four point play to put the Blazers up eight 57-49, but a three pointer by Farrah Turner cut the Blazers lead down to three at 61-58 with 2:11 left. The Blazers then hit six free throws with under a minute to go stretching their lead out to 10 to seal the win with the final score of 68-58. 

The victory brings the Blazers season record to 8-4 and 1-0 in the Belhaven Classic. The Blazers will be back in action on Friday for part two of the Belhaven Classic with Belhaven taking on Blue Mountain College in Rugg Arena at 3:00 PM. The Toppers lost a 75-72 decision in overtime to Brenau University in their opening contest of the classic. Fans can follow all the action through live stats by clicking here.