Box Score
JACKSON, Miss. – The Belhaven women's basketball team found themselves on the wrong end of another close game, falling to Coastal Georgia 81-75 in overtime in a Southern States Athletic Conference matchup at Rugg Arena Saturday night. The Blazers had strong efforts on offense from all of their starters, but couldn't overcome a late rally by the Mariners.

Coach Rusty Cram called this part of Belhaven's schedule, “Survival Mode.”

With two starters and two key reserves missing from the lineup, the Blazers were once again matched up against an undefeated squad.

There wasn't much known about the Coastal Georgia Mariners, playing their first season in the SSAC, other than they were 4-0 coming into the contest. They had defeated William Carey in overtime on Friday night, which opened some eyes around the league.

Belhaven wasn't going to allow their tough situation to distract them from getting back into the win column.

The Blazers responded well following a tough offensive night on Friday. The set plays looked sharp and the shots that weren't falling on Friday night were going into the net in bunches.

Belhaven (2-5, 0-2 SSAC) was doing more than surviving; they were playing their best game of the season to date. If not for a late run by the Mariners in the closing minute of the first half, they would have carried the lead into halftime.

Despite their best efforts, they trailed by three at halftime, 32-29.

The Blazers looked even better in the second half and took a six point lead late into the game. They were able to find pockets in the Coastal Georgia defense and draw fouls consistently, which sent them to the line nine times in the second half. Belhaven finished 19-26 from the stripe.

Coastal Georgia (5-0, 2-0 SSAC) trailed by six with just over a minute and a half to play in the game, after Erika Leflore made a nice post move and laid it into the bucket.

That is when Mariners' starting point guard Madel Madden decided to take over the game.

After struggling for much of the afternoon, Madden took the team on her back. She scored four of the teams' next six points, including a made layup with 35 seconds remaining to tie the game.

Belhaven got one last opportunity to win the game in regulation, as Alisha Rayborn made a great move towards the basket but couldn't finish at the rim.

Neither team could get anything going in the extra five minute period, but the Mariners made a few free throws down the stretch and put the game out of reach.

“I thought our girls played the best they've played all season,” Cram said following the game. “They were upset about the loss, but I told them they need to hold their heads up high for the way they performed tonight.”

“The wins are going to come,” he added.

Leflore led the Blazers in scoring again, posting a performance of 20 points and nine rebounds. She was one rebound shy from adding her third double-double of the season.

Rayborn had a stat-stuffing night with 17 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Ashley Wakefield wasn't far behind with 14 points and four steals.

The Blazers get the Thanksgiving break off before returning to action on November 30, when they travel to Georgia to take on Brenau University in another SSAC matchup.