JACKSON, Miss. – The Belhaven University women's basketball team fell 59-54 in a close contest at home against the Concordia Texas Tornados in American Southwest Conference play. The Blazers fell to 7-4 overall and 3-4 in ASC play.

The Blazers got off to a sloppy start as the Tornados took a 15-3 advantage midway through the first quarter. Belhaven responded and went on an 11-5 run to close out the first quarter trailing by six points. The Green and Gold and Concordia exchanged baskets for the first few possessions as Belhaven cut the lead to three points with 5:11 remaining until the halftime break. The Tornados caught an offensive spark and extended the lead to 35-25 at the break.

Coming out of intermission, the Blazers outscored the Tornados 17-8 in the third quarter and took the lead for the first time since the 9:24 mark in the first quarter. At the end of the third frame, Concordia held the slight 43-42 advantage over the Blazers. Concordia held onto the lead in the final quarter to fall in a close contest by a final score of 59-54.

Shomaria Overton led the Blazers playing all 40 minutes and registered a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Additionally, she collected six assists, two steals and one block. Xhiir Burgess finished the game with 13 points and six assists, while Ladedra Bryant shot 50 percent from the field and posted nine points in her season debut.

Belhaven returns to the court on Saturday, January 15 against the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Cru inside Rugg Arena in conference play. Tip off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

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