Box Score
Rome, GA-The Belhaven women's basketball team advanced to the Southern States Athletic Conference tournament semifinals on Thursday night defeating the University of Mobile 55-51. The Blazers, who are a number one seed, struggled shooting the ball, but played tough on defense forcing 24 Ram turnovers which led to 19 points.

Belhaven (24-7) was led by Regena Jackson who fired in a game high 22 points while collecting two assists and three steals. Erika Leflore had a solid game off the bench with 12 points and seven rebounds while Portia Tucker and Jessica Barlow led the Blazers on the boards with nine apiece. Kiara Johnson ended the night with seven points, two assists, and had two of the team's nine steals in the game.

Belhaven struggled from the field hitting just 29.2 percent of their shots (19-65) while knocking down 29.4 percent of their triples (5-17). The Blazers ended the night converting 57.1 percent of their free throw opportunities (12-21). Belhaven was outrebounded 45-43, but had 21 offensive rebounds which led to 15 second chance points.

Mobile (17-11) had only one player land in double figures and that was Adrienne Mackay who tossed in 18 points and had 14 rebounds to post the double double. Alice Honnery added seven points and came away with 11 rebounds. The Rams also struggled from the field hitting just 39.6 percent of their field goal opportunities (21-53). Mobile was 0 for 10 from three point range and converted 64.3 percent of their free throws (9-14)

Belhaven started slow falling behind 12-5 during the first five minutes of the contest. The Blazers then went on a 15-0 run starting with a triple by Jackson at the 14:34 mark and it was capped by a Jackson two point bucket with 11:06 to play until the intermission. During that stretch, Jackson hit three triples and would add another long range jumper with 10:01 to go in the first half giving Belhaven a 23-15 edge. The Blazers maintained at least a five point lead for the remainder of the first half and led by as many as 12 points at 33-21 following another Jackson basket with 3:30 showing on the clock. The Rams were able to chip four points off of the Belhaven edge going into the half with the Blazers owning a 35-27 lead as the teams headed into the locker room.

Although Mobile never regained the lead in the game, the Rams made things interesting in the second half as they came all the way back to tie the game at 47-47 on a layup by Hillary Dedeaux with 4:35 to play. The Blazers then went back in front 49-47 on two crucial free throws by Jackson with 3:34 on the clock. Sarah Carr, who struggled from the field most of the night, came up big with a clutch three point basket at the 1:20 mark to make it a two possession game at that point. The field goal was setup off a turnover by Mackay. Jackson then went on to hit three key free throws in the final minute to seal the win for Belhaven.

The Blazers will now face second seeded Southern Polytechnic State University Friday night in the semifinals as Southern Poly posted a 59-48 overtime victory against Faulkner University. Lee University and Loyola University will square off in the other semifinal at the Forum in Rome, GA. Friday night's tip-off is slated for 5:00 PM at the Forum and all the play-by-play action can be heard through Stretch Internet by clicking here. Fans can stay up to date with all the SSAC tournament action by clicking here.