COLUMBIA, Ky. –

UT Southern opened play in the UC Bank Classic on Friday evening, going toe-to-toe with No. 3 Campbellsville through much of the first half before the nationally ranked Tigers pulled away late in an 81–49 decision at the Biggers Sports Center.

Despite the loss, the Firehawks turned in several strong individual efforts and held their own early behind efficient paint scoring and active defense.

First Quarter

UT Southern started with early poise, answering Campbellsville's opening layup when Ramie Reid drilled a mid-range jumper to even the score at 2–2. A few possessions later, Ashley Dickey pushed the Firehawks back level again with a driving finish, and moments later added another layup off a feed from Silkiari Vazquez-Troche to tie the game 6–6.

After trailing briefly, the Firehawks cut the margin back down when Lauren Smith scored twice around the rim, including a put-back layup to bring UTS within 12–15. With the quarter winding down, Marypaz Martinez added a strong finish inside to make it 14–15 before Dickey beat the defense for another layup, pulling UT Southern within 16–17. Campbellsville added one late free throw, giving the Firehawks a competitive 16–18 deficit after one.

Second Quarter

Early turnovers slowed the Firehawks to start the second period, but Reid again steadied the offense with an old-fashioned three-point play and another layup moments later to trim the deficit to 18–20 and then 19–20.

UT Southern briefly grabbed the lead at 21–20 when Martinez scored off a pass from Mia Jones, one of UTS's sharpest ball-movement sequences of the game. Smith later connected on a jumper from the elbow to tie the game 25–25, and after falling behind, Reid converted two more free throws to pull UTS back within 31–32.

The Firehawks trailed just 34–41 at the half after a late Martinez layup and several defensive stops, keeping the game within reach heading into the locker room.

Third Quarter

The third quarter proved decisive as Campbellsville used extended defensive pressure to disrupt UTS's rhythm. Smith and Mary Claire Pike helped spark life into the offense—Pike drained back-to-back threes midway through the frame, both assisted by Vazquez-Troche, cutting the margin to 41–49.

Reid followed with a layup to make it 45–64, and Smith knocked down another jumper to bring the score to 47–66. UT Southern continued generating good looks, but shots that fell in the first half stopped dropping as CU closed the quarter with a 60–43 advantage.

Fourth Quarter

The final period saw UT Southern continue to fight, with Smith and Reid creating chances inside and Pike providing defensive energy with a blocked shot. Debrionna Jones knocked down a pair of free throws late, and Mia Jones added multiple hustle rebounds. However, Campbellsville's lead proved too much to overcome as the Firehawks fell 81–49.

Firehawk Leaders

Ramie Reid: 15 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks, 1 steal
Lauren Smith: 8 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals
Ashley Dickey: 8 points, 9 turnovers forced (4 steals + pressure), 1 rebound
Silkiari Vazquez-Troche: 7 assists, 7 steals, 2 points, 3 rebounds
Marypaz Martinez: 6 points, 3 rebounds, 1 block
Mary Claire Pike: 7 points, including two third-quarter threes
Abbilyn Teter: 1 point, 4 rebounds, 3 steals

Quarter-by-Quarter Team Stats

Field Goal Percentage

Three-Point Percentage

Free-Throw Percentage

Up Next

UT Southern continues play in Columbia, Ky., returning to the floor on Saturday to face No. 24 Lindsey Wilson at 5 p.m. in the UC Bank Classic.
 

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