CLARKSVILLE, Ark. - The Belhaven women's basketball team used a third quarter surge to lead by one going into the fourth quarter, but the Green and Gold eventually fall to the University of the Ozarks, 74-65, on Saturday afternoon inside the Mabee Gymnasium in American Southwest Conference (ASC) East action. 

The Eagles (9-10) were hot out of the gates early with an 8-0 run to start the contest. The Blazers (10-9) were able to cut the deficit to four thanks to two free throws by Candler Gregory and a layup by Sierra Pittman.

Ozarks, however, was able to maintain composure in the first ten minutes, going on a 10-4 run in a 5:43 span. Ke'Asia Gray finished the quarter with a three-point play to cut the lead to seven, 18-11, after the first 10 minutes. 

That three-point pushed the Blazers on a terrific start in the second quarter, cutting the deficit to four thanks to a Samara Dingiswayo jump shot and Gray free throw, but an 8-0 run by the Eagles pushed the lead back to double digits. BU would outscore UO, 19-17, in the period, but the Ozarks had the 35-30 advantage heading into recess. 

The Blazers continued to chip away at the deficit, and the third quarter showed positive vibes for the Green and Gold. In a 5:12 span, the Blazers went on a 15-8 run to even the score at 45 and erased a deficit as high as 14 points. 

Samara Dingiswayo scored nine points in the third quarter, as the Green and Gold went on a 25-19 run in the third to hold a 55-54 lead heading into the final 10 minutes. 

In the third stanza, the Blazers shot 61.5 percent (8-for-13) from the field. 

The fourth quarter, however, would belong to the Eagles. Down 58-57, Bryanna Moltz drained a 3-pointer to give the Ozarks the lead, and they would not give the lead back. 

Both Dingiswayo and Vamikka Smith earned career highs for BU. Dingiswayo totaled a career-best 28 points on 10-for-18 shooting, surpassing a 22-point effort at East Texas Baptist earlier this month.

The Oakland, Calif. native drained seven 3-pointers in the contest, which ties a school record last set by Sarah Carr in 2011, and it is also the second-most in the ASC play this season. 

Smith swatted away five Ozarks' shots, a new career-best for the senior. The Mobile, Ala. native finished with seven rebounds and two points and assists each. 

Candler Gregory drained two 3-pointers of her own and finished with 14 points. 

Sierra Pittman finished with 12 points, five rebounds and two assists. 

Moltz led U of O with 22 points, 13 rebounds and five assists to lead the Ozarks. 

The rematch is on for the Blazers, as the ASC East schedule turns to the second half of the schedule, as the Green and Gold return home to host the Ozarks on Thursday inside Rugg Arena. Tip is set for 5:30 p.m. in Jackson. 

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