Box Score
Jackson, Miss- The Belhaven women's basketball opened Southern States Athletic West Division play with a win on Thursday night against Auburn University-Montgomery 60-55. The win increased the Blazers season record to 13-5 and 6-1 in SSAC play. The Blazers, ranked 19th in the latest NAIA Top 25 Poll, remain in a first place tie with Loyola in the West Division.

The Blazers took control of the contest early, jumping out in front of the Warhawks 10-4 with less than five minutes gone by. Courtney Thacker then hit a three for the Warhawks with 9:27 in the first half to tie the game up at 16 all. Regena Jackson countered, knocking in a pair of free throws giving the Blazers an eight point advantage with 5:47 to go. The Blazers maintained their eight point lead into the halftime break courtesy of a Sarah Carr steal who found Kiara Johnson for a layup with just 30 seconds left in the half. Johnson's basket would be the last of the half posting a halftime score of 32-24 in favor of Belhaven.

The Blazers continued to stay hot into the second half extending their lead to 11 off a Sarah Carr three pointer at the 16:57 mark. AUM wouldn't go away without a fight, as Stephanie Torrence drained a three to put her team within five at 40-35. Jackson managed to put the Blazers back up by seven with a pair of free throws.  The Warhawks responded at the 4:54 mark cutting the Blazer advantage down to just one at 47-46. The Blazers managed to muster up a 9-4 run to put themselves back in front by seven points with 1:17 left. With thirty seconds left to go LaKenya Drayton scored a basket to bring the Warhawks within four 57-53. Despite AUM's efforts, time wasn't on their side as the Blazers knocked down three out four free throws to close out the game and get the 60-55 win.

Belhaven (13-5, SSAC 6-1) shot 36% from the floor, with senior Regena Jackson leading the way on the strength of a game high 28 points and five rebounds. Senior Kiara Johnson also had big night for the Blazers turning in 13 points, five rebounds and a team best four assists. Junior Sarah Carr tossed in eight points while sophomore Erika Leflore had a team high six rebounds. Belhaven managed to force the Warhawks into 28 turnovers which translated in to 24 points. The Blazers got out on the break as well outscoring the Warhawks 12-2 in fast break points. The Blazers also edged AUM in the battle of the paint by two points 28-26.

AUM (8-8, SSAC 3-4) was led on the offensive end of the floor by Keisha Moore who had 13 points and five rebounds. Stephanie Torrence turned in 11 points with a team high eight rebounds. AUM shot 38.5% from the floor and 63.2% from the charity stripe. The Warhawks did manage to win the battle of the boards, out-rebounding the Blazers 41-35.

The Blazers will look ahead as they travel to Mobile, AL this Saturday to take on the University of Mobile in another SSAC West Division matchup. Game-time is slated for 5:00 PM.