Box Score
Jackson, Ms-It was a tough night for the Belhaven women's basketball team on Saturday, falling to the Bulldogs of Tougaloo College 85-73. The Blazers conclude their regular season at 13-16 overall and 4-14 in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. The Bulldogs, are now 15-4 overall and 11-7 in league play.

The first half of the game went back and forth as both teams made great plays and played aggressive defense. Victoria Jones got the Bulldogs on the board 19 seconds into the game, but the Blazers answered back quickly and took the lead with a three pointer by Courtney Ward making the score 3-2. With 8:26 left in the first half of play, Jessica Barlow drove into the paint and executed on a lay up tying the game up 18-18. The Blazers took control of the first half and went on a 12-0 run making the score 32-20 after Octavia Mullins drained an outside jumper with less than four minutes to go.

With just over three minutes to go until halftime, Mullins gave Belhaven their largest lead of the half when she nailed a three pointer that put them up 35-22. The half came to a close with the Blazers owning a 37-29 lead over the Bulldogs going into the locker room.

In the second half, Tougaloo was able to make a dent in the Blazers lead early on. The Bulldogs reduced Belhaven's lead to two points at 40-38 with 17:47 to go in the game with a layup by Jones. The Blazers were then able to expand their lead to six points when Stasha Thomas hit a three pointer making the score 54-48. After a team timeout by Tougaloo, the Bulldogs came out on fire and tied the game up 54-54 on a three pointer by Shalenia Wilcher.

Tougaloo then took control of the game at 66-61 with a jumper by Damara Bolton. After a foul by Jira Williams, the Bulldogs quickly responded and built a 13 point advantage at 81-68 with 2:10 to go in the contest. As the game concluded, the Blazers could not contain Tougaloo.

Mullins stole the show for Belhaven scoring 20 points off the bench and went 6 for 9 from the field. Thomas also had a good night tossing in 15 points followed by Williams who had 10 points. Ward and Williams led the Blazers on the boards with five a piece on the night. Ward dished out a game high seven assists along with Mullins who came up with two steals.

As a team, the Blazers shot 37.1 percent from the field, 32 percent from behind the arc, and 59.1 percent from the free throw line. Belhaven's defense was strong forcing 24 turnovers, but it was not enough to pull out a win.

Tougaloo had five players in double figures led by Jones with 23 points followed Bolton with 18. Shalenia Wicher and Kim Kern both contribute 14 points and Erica Grayson had 11 points. Grayson and Jones both had a double double in Saturday night's contest. The Bulldogs converted on 47.8 percent of their shots from the field, shot 30.8 percent from behind the three point line, and 50 percent at the free throw line.

Overall, it was a bitter sweet night in Rugg arena as the Blazer seniors were recognized on the court following the game. Belhaven honored seniors Mallory Hammack, Thomas, Lindsey Grefseng, Ward, and Williams for their hard work in the women's basketball program.

Belhaven will play their first post season game against Dillard University at home on Monday night for another Gulf Coast Athletic Conference matchup. The tip off from Rugg Arena is slated for 7:00 PM.