JACKSON, Miss. – The Belhaven women's basketball team finished the 2017-18 season on a great note, earning a thrilling 72-70 victory over the University of the Ozarks inside Rugg Area. Kelsey Brown, Kayla Smothers, and Courtney Harper were all recognized on Senior Day.
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INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: Belhaven 72 | University of the Ozarks 70
 
Records: Belhaven 4-21, 4-14 ASC| Ozarks 4-21, 2-16 ASC
 
Location: Rugg Arena| Jackson, MS
 
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HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Blazers and the Eagles fought in a very tight battle right down to the final buzzer.

- Belhaven was off to a hot start shooting the ball, going on an 8-1 run to open the game.

- The Eagles quickly closed the gap and took the 11-10 lead with 4:10 remaining in the first quarter.

- For the next four minutes, the Green and Gold retook a 20-14 lead to close out the first quarter.

- With 7:44 remaining in the second quarter, Kelsey Brown's three-pointer pushed the lead to 28-21.

- Over the next three minutes of action, the Ozarks narrowed the lead to one point making the score 30-29.

-  The Blazers and the Eagles went back and forth for the rest of the first half to bring the score to 35-34, with the Green and Gold having a slight advantage.

- In the third quarter, the Blazers and the Eagles were neck and neck, as the Ozarks made 16 points in the third quarter and Belhaven posted 15 points.

- Going into the fourth quarter the Blazers and the Eagles were all knotted up at 50 points apiece.

- The Blazers found themselves down by seven points with 2:52 left in the contest.

- With only 8.5 seconds remaining in the ballgame, AaLiyaha Thornton sinks the game-winning free throws to put the Green and Gold up 72-70.

- Belhaven would go on to defeat the Ozarks 72-70 on Senior Day with a last second defensive stop. 
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KEY STATISTICS
- Kelsey Brown led the way for the Blazers with 26 points, team-high eight rebounds, two assists, and one steal. Brown also went 75 percent (6-8) from three-point range.

- AaLiyaha Thornton finished the afternoon with 16 points, two rebounds, six assists, and two steals.

- Kayla Smothers chipped in 13 points, five rebounds, three assists, and one steal.

- Lauren Brooks tallied eight points in the contest. She also went 100 percent (4-4) from the field.

- Brittany Ford added four points, three rebounds, and three assists in the win.

- Kimberly Calhoun finished with three points in the game.

- Courtney Harper rounded out the scoring for the Blazers with two points while grabbing three rebounds.

- Belhaven connected on 55.1 percent (27-49) of its shots from the field, and 53.3 percent (8-15) from three-point range. 
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UP NEXT
The Blazers wrapped up their 2017-18 season with a 4-21 record and 4-14 in American Southwest Conference play.
 
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