JACKSON, Miss. – The Belhaven Women's Basketball team opened up 2016 with a 60-52 win over Hardin-Simmons University in American Southwest Conference play on Saturday at Rugg Arena.
 
Sierra Pittman led the Blazers with 23 points in the game, while Tamora Shelton grabbed a double-double with 15 rebounds and 12 points. Pittman also had three steals in the contest.
 
The Blazers trailed by three points heading into the final quarter, but Belhaven went on a run over the final 10 minutes, outscoring the Cowgirls 24-13
 
Candler Gregory extended her streak of consecutive games with a three pointer to 10 in the contest, finishing with eight points and six rebounds.
 
Jacinda Smith returned from a seven-game absence with an injury to grab 11 rebounds and four points in the game. Smith also had three of Belhaven's four blocks in the game.
 
The Blazers held Hardin-Simmons to just 27 percent shooting in the game and 28.6 percent from three-point range.
 
Belhaven also outrebounded the Cowgirls 61-40, including 43 rebounds on the defensive glass.
 
The Blazers will return to action on Monday in an ASC game against McMurry University. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. inside Rugg Arena.