JACKSON, Miss. - The Belhaven University women's basketball team dropped an 83-80 decision in overtime on Saturday afternoon against Sul Ross State University at Rugg Arena in American Southwest Conference play.
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INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: Sul Ross State 83, Belhaven 80 (OT)
Records: Belhaven: 0-9, Sul Ross State 2-8
Location: Â Rugg Arena | Jackson, Miss.
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HOW IT HAPPENED
- Belhaven showed tenacity and aggressiveness in the opening quarter of play with a strong effort on both ends of the floor.
- After being tied at 6-6 early on, the Blazers put together a 10-0 run to push ahead 16-6.
- Sul Ross State would collect a run of their own to close the gap after drilling three three-point field goals in the final two minutes of the quarter to cut the deficit down to 17-15.
- In the second quarter of action, Sul Ross State led 25-23 after finding ways to score down in the post and behind the arc.
- The Blazers committed 10 turnovers in the first half and trailed by four at the break.
- The Lobos nailed seven three's in the first half after missing their first eight attempts.
- Sul Ross State jumped ahead with a few quick buckets in the third quarter inside the paint to extend their lead out to seven at 50-43.
- Belhaven amped up their play on the defensive end and closed the quarter on a 9-5 run as they trailed 55-50 after the third quarter.
- A three pointer from Brittany Ford closed the gap down to two and then two free throws from Alexis Caldwell knotted up the game at 55-55 early in the fourth quarter.
- Belhaven took the lead moments later after Ford connected on another three point field goal from the right wing.
- Ford scored seven points in the first five minutes of the quarter and converted on a three-point play to push the Blazers up 64-60.
- Belhaven reamined out in front at 67-64 after Alexis Caldwell scored from the right block down in the post.
- AaLiyaha Thornton put BU ahead 71-69 with just over a minute remaining, but the Lobos responded with a basket inside the paint to tie the contest up at 71-71.
- Alexis Caldwell hit two clutch free throws in the final 30 seconds, but SRSU tied the game up on a layup with 12 seconds remaining.
- In the overtime period, the Blazers never led. Sul Ross State jumped out to an 80-74 advantage.
- Trailing 81-78 with four seconds remaining, AaLiyaha Thornton drew a foul on a three point attempt, but was only able to knock down two of the three free throw shots as the Lobos held on for the win.
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KEY STATISTICS
- Alexis Caldwell led the Blazers in scoring with 17 points on 6-9 shooting. Caldwell also accumulated five rebounds.
- AaLiyaha Thornton tabbed 14 points and a team-high eight assists.
- Kayla Smothers collected 11 points and seven rebounds.
- Lauren Brooks finished with 10 points while Brittany Ford and Cora Cooley notched nine and eight points respectively.
- The Blazers as a team shot 38 percent from the field on 27-71 shooting.
- The Green and Gold shot just 21 percent from three point territory and 22-41 from the free throw line.
- Sul Ross State committed 22 turnovers and BU scored 21 points off of those turnovers.
- Belhaven also out-rebounded SRSU by a margin of 39-29.
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UP NEXT
Belhaven will hit the road for their next six contests beginning with a road matchup at Covenant College on Dec. 19 in Lookout Mountain, Ga. Tip-off is currently set for 5:30 p.m.
For the latest news on Belhaven Blazers athletics, follow @BelhavenBlazers on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.
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