PULASKI, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee Southern women's basketball returned to the Curry Athletic Complex on Thursday hosting Middle Georgia State. The Firehawks put up a season best opening half trouncing the Knights 91-64. UTS exceeded the 90 point threshold for the second consecutive game netting 62 in the opening half. UT Southern improved to 8-6 overall and 7-3 in league play.
Three Firehawks tallied double figures in points. Kassidy Broussard led all scorers with 27 points, four rebounds, and four steals. Takiyah Goff contributed 21 points, seven rebounds,  five assists, and four steals. Daysha Reid pitched in 10 points.
UTS opened the match connecting on their first three shots and added a charity shot to lead 7-0 in the early going. The pesky UTS defense held the MGSU to two of 16 shooting and forced 10 turnovers in the opening quarter. UTS shot 14-19 shooting 74% including 3-7  from range. Goff led the way with 13 points. UTS scored their highest point total in a quarter in the opening 10 minute shellacking posting 34 points.
With a 34-7 lead, the Firehawks continued to pour it on the visitors in the second quarter. Broussard shot 80% hitting 3-4 from beyond the arch for 15 points in the period. UTS shot 9-18 for 50% knocking down six trifectas. UTS led 62-23 at the break.
In the third quarter, The Firehawks outscored  the Knights 21-20 extending their lead to 45 after a 13-4 run to open the period. UTS led 83-43 after three. In the final quarter, Middle Georgia State began to shave into the Firehawk lead against the UTS reserves.
BY THE NUMBERS
47.3 – UTS shot 35-74 for 47.3 percent outshooting the Knights' 24-73 (33%).
9 – UTS drained nine triples, two more than MGSU.
12 – UTS connected on 12 of 15 free throws, to MGSU's nine of 11 from the foul line.
44 – The Firehawks pulled down 44 rebounds in the game, one less than the Knights.
45 – UT Southern led by as many as 45 in the game, this occurred at the 7:15 mark in the third quarter, leading 72-27.
22 – UTS had 22 points on fast breaks.
18 – The Firehawks complied 18 steals in the game, 10 more than the Knights.
39 – UT Southern cashed in on Middle Georgia State errors, netting 39 points off turnovers.
NEXT UP
The Firehawks will return to action at the CAC on Saturday, February 1, hosting Thomas. The Firehawks and Nighthawks are set to tipoff at noon.
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