MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Belhaven Women's Basketball team fell to Rhodes College 53-58 in their season opener and NCAA debut Friday night.
 
Belhaven led after the first quarter, finishing the first 10 minutes up 9-8 over the Lynx.  The Blazers built on that lead through the remainder of the first half, carrying a 29-22 advantage as they headed to the locker room. 
 
Rhodes got off to an early run coming out of the halftime break, as the Lynx came out in a full court press that seemed to be too much for the Blazers to handle.  However, Belhaven was able to sustain Rhodes' pressure through the third quarter, and even grew its lead to a game-high 11 points. But, Rhodes was able to counter, as Belhaven headed into the final frame with a 43-40 lead.
 
Junior Candler Gregory led the way for the Blazers in field goals.  Gregory scored 16 points, tying her career high which was previously set against Loyola (La.) midway through last season.  She also finished the game with four rebounds, one block and one assist.  Gregory was perfect form the free-throw line, going 6-6, which also tied a career high.
 
Another leader for the Blazers was Sierra Pittman. The junior finished the game with 10 points, two steals, five rebounds and 4-4 from the free-throw line.  As a team, the Blazers would go on to shoot 75 percent from the free-throw line in the game. 
 
Jasmine Brown also had a career game, setting new personal marks in rebounds and assists.  She had five rebounds and four assists.
 
Junior forward Vamikka Smith collected seven points, five rebounds, two assists, one block and two steals in her debut in a Blazers uniform.
 
Ieshia Dixon was the third highest scorer for the Blazers on the night, collecting eight points and one block. Dixon recorded 18 minutes in her Belhaven debut. 
 
On his team's performance for the night, head coach Steve Calder said, "I am proud of how we played as a team. I asked the girls to give me all they had when out on the floor, and that's just what they did."
 
Other Blazers who played their first minutes in for Belhaven in the game included Tamora Shelton, Maleah Issac and Kandice Sims.  Shelton recorded eight minutes of action and added a block to the Blazers' stats for the night.  Isaac played 14 minutes, adding two points and one assist.  Kandice Sims also added one assist.
 
Up next, the Blazers will travel to neighboring Clinton in a cross-town battle with the Mississippi College Choctaws.  The game is set for a 6 p.m. tip Tuesday night.