Box Score
JACKSON, Miss. – An injury-plagued Belhaven women's basketball team fell to visiting Southern Polytechnic State 51-37 Friday night in the Southern States Athletic Conference opener for both teams. The two teams battled in a close game until the Hornets were able to pull away at the end to drop the Blazers to 2-4 on the year.

Southern Poly (3-0, 1-0 SSAC) came into the contest as one of the most complete teams in the country. They were unranked overall in the preseason poll, but have been dominating teams at the start of 2012.

Two of their key players Ashlie Billigslea and Sarah Ogoke were both averaging 20 points a game in their first two to start the year. Both players are also defensive stalwarts, averaging a combined nine steals and four blocks per game.

Coach Rusty Cram knew that his undermanned team, due to the injuries, would have their hands full with the Lady Hornets.

The Blazers responded to the adversity well in the first half, despite having a frustrating shooting performance. Belhaven matched up well with Billigslea and Ogoke on defense, limiting the two players to nine first half points, a far cry from their 40-point average.

However, the defensive pressure by the Lady Hornets was as advertised and frustrated the Blazers all night.

Belhaven would trail at halftime by seven points, 26-17, to Southern Poly.

The Blazers and Lady Hornets traded barbs in the second half before the Blazers went on a 6-0 run to bring the game back within four points.

Only minutes remained on the clock, and neither team looked poised to break away from the other. The Blazers trailed 37-33 before the Lady Hornets went on a 14-4 run to end the game.

“Defensively we did a great job holding them to 25 points below their average, but offensively we are struggling,” said Belhaven Head Coach Rusty Cram. “We have role players who are learning to be go to players and it's a process that we have to go through. Our goal is to get better every game and we are still improving overall. The players are fighting through a lot of adversity right now, but I believe the adversity will help us grow as a team.”

Belhaven held Billigslea to 11 points on the night, which was 10 points away from her season average. Arnissa Galloway led the Lady Hornets with 12 points and 12 rebounds, with all of her points coming in the second half.

Junior Erika Leflore couldn't continue her streak of double-doubles to three, but she did continue to dominate the boards, especially on the offensive end. Leflore finished with 16 total rebounds, seven when the Blazers were shooting on their basket. The forward also chipped in seven points.

Antonekia Williams and Sarah Carr led Belhaven with eight points apiece. Williams came off the bench to play a very good game; she finished with a perfect two-for-two from three-point land.

Belhaven will look to get back in the win column Saturday at 3:00 PM when Coastal Georgia comes into town. The Mariners won their first ever SSAC game on Friday night against William Carey. Fans can follow all the action through live stats by clicking here.