CLARKSVILLE, Ark. - The Belhaven Women's Basketball team sealed their third straight win to open the 2022-23 season and first on the road as they outlasted University of the Ozarks thanks to strong late-game defense.

In the matchup of former American Southwest Conference foes it was the visiting Blazers who jumped out to an early lead thanks in part to a hot shooting start from freshman Shantashia John. At the end of the first quarter it was the Blazers who had a slim 24-19 lead.

Belhaven would find themselves in a tight battle as the first half wore on with the hosts closing the gap throughout the second quarter. Ozarks was able to win the rebounding battle and the points off the bench margin which reduced the Belhaven lead to just one point as the game hit halftime.

Coming out of the halftime interval Belhaven was once again able to increasing their advantage with stellar team defense. The Blazers, who finished with 27 points off turnovers, limited Ozarks to just 14 points in the third quarter and took an eight point lead into the final frame.

The Eagles responded though and battled back to take the lead with just over four minutes to go in the contest. Once again though the defensive side of the game for the Blazers would stand tall and helped the Blazers take a two-point lead with under a minute to play.

Coming out of a timeout the Eagles looked to tie the game with an inbounds pass down low but Shomaria Overton was able to come up with a steal and found Xhiir Burgess on the fast break to seal the win for Belhaven.

 On the day the Blazers forced the Eagles into 23 turnovers generating 27 points. The Blazers shot well as a team finishing just under 45% from the field and just under 40% from three in the game. 

Shantashia John continued the hot start to her Belhaven career as she led all scorers with 27 points while also pulling down four rebounds and providing three assists. Shomaria Overton and Ebony Gayden each provided 14 points on the day and their both also grabbed eight rebounds in the team effort.

Belhaven now will turn their attention to another tough road test as they travel to Birmingham-Southern on Tuesday, November 22nd for non-conference action.

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