JACKSON, Miss. – The Belhaven University Women's Basketball team fell 88-87 in the first conference game of the season inside Rugg Arena on Tuesday afternoon.

The Blazers jumped out to a 9-2 advantage just before the first media timeout of the first quarter. Belhaven continued to play up tempo as the Green and Gold extend their lead to 24-14 at the end of the first quarter.

Both teams exchanged buckets and possessions for the majority of the second quarter, but the Blazers held on to the double-digit advantage to go into the halftime break.

Belhaven continued to hold onto the 59-50 lead midway through the third quarter. The Blazers extended their advantage to 14 points going into the final quarter of play.

The visitors cut the lead to nine points at the final media timeout of the contest. Piedmont drained a bucket with three seconds left to earn the 88-87 victory over the Blazers.

Shantashia John led the Blazers with 31 points and shot 48 percent from the field. Xhiir Burgess scored 21 points, and had a team-high 17 rebounds in the contest. Ebony Gayden was the other Blazer to score a double-double with 12 points and 17 rebounds.

As a team, the Blazers shot 41.7 percent from the field and 65 percent from the charity stripe.

The Blazers will return to action on Friday, December 16th against Agnes Scott in Decatur, Ga. Tip off is set for 4:00 p.m. CT

For the latest news on Belhaven Blazers athletics, follow @BelhavenBlazers on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.