PULASKI, Tenn. – The Martin Methodist Women's Basketball team erased a double-digit deficit on two different occasions, but could not pull off the come-from-behind victory in a 70-67 loss to University of Mobile (Ala.) Thursday night in the Curry Christian Life Center.
After a sluggish start, the RedHawks (13-8, 7-4 SSAC) saw themselves fall behind by three at the end of the first quarter at 16-13. The second quarter saw the deficit continue to increase, however, as the visitors built up a 35-24 lead at the half.
And when the Rams (8-13, 5-6 SSAC) scored the opening bucket of the second half to push their lead to 13, it appeared as if the RedHawks would be destined to a rare lopsided home defeat.
But, behind 15 third-quarter points from Brooklyn Blanchard, the RedHawks whittled away at the Mobile lead and tied the contest at 44-44 with 3:27 left in the third. The Rams closed the period with six straight points to take a 50-44 lead into the fourth and final frame, however.
The visitors opened the period with five more points to extend their lead back to double-digits for a second time.
That's when Martin Methodist rattled off a 20-8 run of their own to take a one-point lead at 64-63 with 95 seconds left in regulation. Mobile responded with two free throws and a bucket to retake the lead at 67-65.
Down by two, the RedHawks committed a pair of turnovers in the game's final minute to see the Rams escape with a three-point victory.
The loss spoiled a valiant performance from Blanchard, whose 27 points were a game high. The 27 marked the most in a game this season for the junior guard and the most since she notched 28 versus Faulkner (Ala.) on March 2, 2017.
No other RedHawk finished in double-figures in Thursday's defeat. Faith Sherrow finished 3-of-11 from the floor and finished with nine points to flank Blanchard in the scoring column.
With a healthy dose of minutes, newcomer Yasmine Daniel finished with seven points and a perfect 3-for-3 from the floor.
The loss marked the first home defeat of the season for the RedHawks and snapped a 24-game home win streak. The RedHawks last lost inside the Curry Christian Life Center, 54-50, to Bethel (Tenn.) back on Feb. 16, 2017.
The RedHawks will look to rebound Saturday afternoon when they host Stillman (Ala.). The RedHawks knocked off Stillman, 58-53, when they teams met in Tuscaloosa, Alabam back on Dec. 3, 2018.
Tipoff in Saturday's contest is set for 2 p.m.
