Box Score
MONTGOMERY, Ala.-Belhaven senior guard Regena Jackson fired in a career high 42 points, leading the women's basketball team to an 82-65 Southern States Athletic Conference victory at Faulkner University Thursday night. The Blazers, ranked 18th in the latest NAIA Top 25 Poll, remain at the top of the SSAC West Division with a 10-1 record in league play.

Faulkner University opened the game with a three pointer from Nyla Johnson with just under a minute gone by the first half. However, it didn't take Jackson long to reply tying the game 3-3. Both offenses had trouble getting things going, with a total of nine missed field goals. Jackson offered a two point lead back to the Blazers with 16:22 to go in the first half. Katie Pavlik then responded for the Eagles 20 seconds later draining a triple, giving the lead back to Faulkner.  Belhaven's offense tied the game with 14:46 to go in the first half to bring the score to a 10-10 deadlock. The Blazers then pulled back in front and maintained advantage until time expired with Jackson ending the half scoring her 20th and 21st point on a pair of free throws. Thanks to the free throws, Belhaven took a commanding 40-22 lead into the locker room.

The Blazers put up 42 second half points and kept their play strong, leading by as many as 25 with 10:51 left to go. With less than five minutes left to play in the contest, Vittoria Poole got a basket to cut the Blazer edge down to 12 at 67-55. Johnson drained a three halting the Eagles momentum and extended the advantage back up to 17 points with 2:43 left. With a 1:46 on the clock, the Eagles trimmed the Blazer lead back to 12 on a Leticia Cuellar three, making it 73-61. Jackson tossed in a pair of free throws putting the Blazers back up 15. Johnson then got a steal which translated into a basket with 11 seconds remaining to put the icing on the cake. Christina Hayes had a last second rebound and score for the Eagles, though it wouldn't be enough as the Blazers claimed the 17 point victory 82-65.

Jackson's point total of 42 was one shy of the school record of 43 set by Jayne Osborne in January of 1982. Jackson went 12 of 20 from the field, 13 for 14 at the free throw line, and 5 of 8 from three point land during her record setting performance. Belhaven (17-5, 10-1 SSAC) had two other players reach double figures Thursday night with senior guard Kiara Johnson and senior forward Portia Tucker adding 13 and 12 points, respectively. Senior forward Jessica Barlow led the team in rebounds with nine and she also contributed seven points. The Blazers connected on 47.5 percent of their field goals and won the rebounding battle 39-36.

Faulkner (14-7, 5-5 SSAC) was led by Nyla Johnson with 19 points and four rebounds. Christina Hayes was the second leading scorer for the Eagles with 13 points with a team high nine rebounds. The Eagles shot 38.7 percent from the floor going 24 of 62 on the night.

The Blazers will be back in action on Saturday as they host Southern States Athletic Conference opponent Spring Hill College.  Game-time is slated for 2:00 PM and fans can follow all the action through live stats by clicking here.