JACKSON, Miss. – The Belhaven women's basketball team dropped its American Southwest Conference (ASC) contest to University of Texas at Tyler Patriots, 74-59, Thursday evening inside Rugg Arena.
____________________________________________________________________________________
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: UT Tyler 74 | Belhaven 59
 
Records: UTT 16-8, 9-8 ASC| BU 3-21, 3-14 ASC
 
Location: Rugg Arena| Jackson, Miss.
 
Get Social: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram | @BelhavenBlazers | www.blazers.belhaven.edu
 
___________________________________________________________________________________
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- It was a back and forth contest throughout the opening minutes of the game. The Blazers knotted up the game 9-9, after a made free throw from Kelsey Brown.

- The Patriots found an offensive spark, going on a 10-0 run to make the score 19-9 with 4:47 remaining in the first quarter of play.

- After going on a 5-0 run, the Green and Gold found some offensive rhythm to cut the lead in half, making the score 19-14.

- The UT Tyler Patriots closed out the first quarter going on a 7-2 run to extend their lead to 10 points.

- After a couple of fouls on the Patriots to open up the second quarter, AaLiyaha Thornton knocked down both free throws and then Kayla Smothers followed her to make both of her free throws to narrow the lead to six points.

- With 3:05 remaining in the game, AaLiyaha Thornton made two more free throws to cut the lead to 33-26.

- Kayla Smothers made the last three points of the half for the Blazers to go into halftime trailing 39-29.

- Brittany Ford opened up the third quarter with a bucket from behind the arc to cut the lead to seven.

- UT Tyler's offense came alive as they went on an 11-2 run with 5:48 remaining in the third quarter.

- The Blazers would continue to put up shots to cut the lead to single digits to end the third quarter with a score of 56-47.

- In the first 11 seconds of the fourth quarter, Brittany Ford once again drilled a three-pointer to cut the lead to six points.

- For the next five minutes of play, the Patriots continued to dominate the offensive side of the ball going on a 10-0 run.

- The final five minutes of the game the Blazers out scored the Patriots 9-8 to make the final score 74-59, with UT Tyler coming out on top.
___________________________________________________________________________________
 
KEY STATISTICS
- There were two Blazers tonight that score in double-digit figures.

- AaLiyaha Thornton led the offensive attack for the Blazers with 15 points, six assists and a rebound. She also played in all 40 minutes of the game.

- Kelsey Brown finished the night with 13 points, four assists, two rebounds, and one steal. Brown also finished the game going 2-for-4 from behind the arc to lead the team.

- Brittany Ford chipped in nine points and an assist, while India Sims and Lauren Brooks both finished with six points and four rebounds.

- Alexis Caldwell and Kayla Smothers each posted five points in the contest. Smothers tied Courtney Harper for a team-high 5 rebounds.

- The Green and Gold shot 14-for-19 from the free throw line, 

-The Blazers had 21 points from the bench.
___________________________________________________________________________________
 
UP NEXT
The Blazers will return to the hardwood on Saturday, February 17^th for Senior Day inside Rugg Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
 
For the latest news on Belhaven Blazers athletics, follow @BelhavenBlazers on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.