Box Score
Shreveport, LA-The Belhaven women's basketball team opened the 2011-12 season with an 82-76 overtime win Wednesday night at LSU-Shreveport. The Blazers, ranked 25th in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 Poll, outscored the Pilots in the extra frame 20-14 to pick up the win.

The game went back and forth the entire night with nine separate ties and six lead changes throughout the course of the contest. LSU-Shreveport had the upper hand early building a five point lead at 14-9 on a three pointer by Christy Willis at the 14:29 mark of the opening period. Belhaven went ahead briefly at 17-16 on a pair of free throws from senior forward Jessica Barlow with just under 11 minutes to play in the half. The Pilots enjoyed their largest edge of the first half with 3:20 on the clock when Sharde Henry hit a jumper to make it a 29-23 contest. However, Belhaven closed the half on a 6-0 run which was capped by a bucket from senior Kiara Johnson that tied the game 40 seconds before the buzzer.

LSUS came out strong in the second half and reestablished a seven point advantage just over three minutes in. With 9:32 to go in the second, Mycal Smith delivered a field goal to push Belhaven back in front 50-48. Two minutes later, Regena Jackson dialed up a three point field goal giving the Blazers their largest lead of the night at 56-50. The Pilots came back to tie the game at 60-60 with 1:19 on the second quarter clock and then with 58 seconds remaining in regulation Jackson sent Belhaven back in front 62-60 on a pair of free throws. LSUS knotted the score for the eighth time on a jumper by Henry with 35 seconds left and a last second attempt from Jackson that would have given Belhaven the win went off target sending the game into overtime.

The Blazers controlled the overtime period and quickly setup a four point lead with 3:42 on the clock. Belhaven sealed the contest with 52 seconds left on a triple by Sarah Carr giving the Blazers their largest lead of the night at 79-70. Belhaven then held on for the 82-76 victory.

Belhaven (1-0) was led by senior Regena Jackson who had a game high 27 points. Jackson was 3 of 6 from three point land and had a solid night at the free throw line canning 10 of 13 attempts. Sophomore Ericka Leflore notched a double double thanks to a game high 11 rebounds and 11 points. The Blazers had two other players reach double figures in scoring as Kiara Johnson and Sarah Carr poured in 14 and 13 points respectively. Carr drilled three triples on the night.

Belhaven hit 42.2 percent of their field goals (27-64), 45 percent of their three pointers (9-20), and 73.1 of their free throws (19-26). Belhaven was outrebounded 49-34, but forced 21 turnovers which translated into 24 points on the offensive end of the floor.

LSU-Shreveport (0-1) got 19 points from Jenna Diakos and 12 points and 11 rebounds from Simone Brewer. Henry delivered 15 points and Willis ended the night with 13 points. The Pilots shot 39.4 percent from the field (26-66), 29.4 percent from long distance (5-17), and 86.5 percent at the free throw line (19-22).

Belhaven will be back in action on Saturday when they travel to Blue Mountain College for a 2:00 PM non-conference game against the Toppers.