PULASKI, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee Southern women's basketball played their last home game until December 30^th, hosting the University of Mobile on Saturday. The Firehawks fell 72-68. The teams will square off again on February 6^th.
UTS began the opening quarter on fire shooting nine of 13 and outs scoring the Rams 22-3. During the run, the Firehawks were led by Silkiari Vazquez-Troche with seven points, Daysha Reid added five, and Lauren Smith and Ashley Dickey contributed four each. The UTS defense stunned UM as the Rams shot one of 11. In the final two minutes, Mobile closed the gap as UTS led 26-11 after one. UTS shot 11-18 in the period out shooting the Rams 61 to 22 percent.
In the second quarter, the Firehawks extended their lead to 17 before the Rams made a run to trail 41-29 at the half.  UTS outscored UM in the paint 26-6 and shot 17-34 for the half.
In the third quarter, the Firehawks were plagued by cold shooting and began to see their lead dissipate. The Firehawks shot 4-14 in the third stanza and were out shot 63 to 29 percent. UM led 56-53 after three.
In the final quarter, shooting woes continued to hamper the home team as Mobile opened up to their largest lead of 62-55 in the game with five minutes left. UT Southern hopped up off the deck and reeled off an 11-3 run to retake the lead with 78 seconds left. UM took the lead back in the waning seconds escaping a disastrous trip to Pulaski.
Three Firehawks scored in double figures in the loss. Reid led all scorers and rebounders with her double double, netting 23 points and pulling down 14 boards. Vazquez-Troche added 14 points and seven rebounds. Dickey ended up with 12 points. Smith narrowly missed double figures with nine points and eight rebounds.

BY THE NUMBERS
40 – The Firehawks controlled the offensive paint scoring 40 points to Mobile's 20.
17 – UTS took advantage of second chances around the bucket cashing in 17 points, and they limited Mobile's opportunities allowing only five for the Rams.
4 – UTS outrebounded UM 38-34.

NEXT UP
The Firehawks will return to action on December 17^th traveling to Lebanon, Tenn., facing former TSAC and MSC foe the Cumberland University. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.

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