JACKSON, Miss. - The Belhaven women's basketball team held off a fourth quarter rally by Birmingham-Southern to defeat the Panthers, 68-62, on Wednesday evening inside Rugg Arena. 

In the first four minutes of the contest, both teams were neck-and-neck, but the Blazers, leading by one point, 8-7, went on an early 9-0 run in a 3:27 span midway through the first period. However, the lead would shrink back to one in the early part of the second quarter. 

The Blazers (5-4) would push the lead to five by the end of the first half, leading the Panthers (4-6), 30-25 at intermission. 

Belhaven was blazing from the field in the first 20 minutes, shooting 52.4 percent (11-for-21), while being out-rebounded by BSC, 20-13. 

After a layup by the Panthers to start the second half, the Green and Gold surged to extend the lead to a game-high 15 thanks to a 16-4 run in a span of 6:26 in the third quarter. BU would keep a double-digit lead of 10 headed into the fourth quarter. 

BSC would respond with a 21-point quarter, but the Green and Gold held off the late charge by the Panthers to seal the win. 

Candler Gregory led all scorers with a game-high 20 points, while grabbing six rebounds. 10 of her 20 points came from the charity stripe, where she went 10-for-13 from the line. 

Samara Dingiswayo totaled 11 points, missing her season high by one point, while Sierra Pittman tallied 10 points. 

Vamikka Smith and Erika Smith each dished out four assists each in the win. 

Emilee Olsen led the Panthers with 17 points and nine rebounds. 

The Blazers are back in action Thursday night, as they travel up Riverside Drive to take on the Majors of Millsaps College. The Green and Gold will look to take the season series after defeating the Majors, 72-68 on Nov. 15 in Rugg Arena. Tip off from the Hangar Dome is slated for 5 p.m., with the men's game to follow. 

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