JACKSON, Miss. - The Belhaven University women's basketball team dropped a 78-53 decision to Howard Payne on Thursday night in American Southwest Conference play.
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INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: Howard Payne 78, Belhaven 53
Records: Belhaven 0-8 (0-3 ASC) , Howard Payne 5-5 (2-1 ASC)
Location: Rugg Arena | Jackson, Miss.
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HOW IT HAPPENED
- From the very beginning Howard Payne looked like the dominate team as the YellowJackets quickly jumped out to a 16 point lead at the end of the first quarter of play, leading 26-10.
- Yet, despite the point deficit, the Blazers would not go away without a fight. They would come out in the second quarter firing on all cylinders and with a 16-1 run, made things interesting as they cut the YellowJackets lead to 27-26.
- Two consecutive AaLiyaha Thornton free throws would give the Blazers their first lead since the beginning of the game and mark a major comeback for the Lady Blazers as they would lead 28-27 with 5:03 left to go in the half.
- Howard Payne would once again take the lead and go into half time up by four with the score at 36-32.
- Belhaven looked to be in control fresh out of halftime as they would knock down five straight points to take the lead 37-36.
- A quick jump shot by Howard Payne's Anastasia Willis would give the YellowJackets the 38-37 advantage. This was the final time the YellowJackets had to worry about surrendering a lead to the Blazers.
- Belhaven would never lead again as they would go into the third quarter down by nine points by a score of 52-43.
- Belhaven was outscored 26-10 in the final quarter. The would fall to the YellowJackets by a final score of 78-53.
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KEY STATISTICS
- Alexis Caldwell led the Blazers with 12 points. She also had one steal on the night.
- AaLiyaha Thornton finished second tonight for the Blazers in scoring with 10 points. She also led the team with three assists and one steal.
- Lauren Brooks was credited with 6 total points for the game.
- Kelsey Brown added 5 points along with one steal.
- As a team, Belhaven knocked down 18 total points in the paint.
- The bench saw a lot of action tonight as they would finish with 18 total bench points for the game.
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UP NEXT
Belhaven will stay at home and battle ASC opponent Sul Ross State University (1-8) this Saturday at Rugg Arena. The two teams are set to tip-off beginning at 2:00 p.m.
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