COLUMBIA, Ky. - UT Southern closed out the UC Bank Classic in Columbia, Ky., with a signature 73–69 win over No. 24 Lindsey Wilson on Saturday afternoon. The Firehawks used balanced scoring, defensive pressure, and clutch fourth-quarter execution to secure the road victory and move to 5–1 on the season.

Individual Leaders

Ashley Dickey: 18 points, 7 rebounds, 6 steals
Ramie Reid: 14 points, 2 rebounds
Lauren Smith: 11 points, 4 rebounds
Silkiari Vazquez-Troche: 8 points, 8 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals
Taya Totten: 8 points, 5 rebounds
Mia Jones: 5 points, 3 rebounds
 

First Quarter – Fast Start and Early Control

Lauren Smith set the tone early with a clean finish at the rim off a pass from Silkiari Vazquez-Troche. Ramie Reid followed with a pair of makes, and Smith added another inside bucket as the Firehawks jumped ahead 13–6. Dickey attacked the paint for two more scores, and late in the period Abbilyn Teter pushed the break for a transition layup to give UT Southern a 20–14 lead after one.

Second Quarter – Trading Runs in an Offensive Stretch

Dickey opened the quarter with back-to-back baskets, and Reid continued to score consistently in the mid-range. Mia Jones provided a spark off the bench, hitting a three and later drawing contact for two free throws. Though Lindsey Wilson made a push to take the lead late in the half, Smith and Reid each added points to keep the game tight. UT Southern trailed only 41–39 at halftime.

Third Quarter – Firehawks Weather a Push

UT Southern and Lindsey Wilson traded baskets in the early third, with Smith scoring inside and Totten knocking down a jumper. Lindsey Wilson then built a brief 50–45 advantage, but Totten steadied the Firehawks with a three and another basket to halt the momentum. Dickey added a three-pointer and two free throws as UTS stayed within striking distance, entering the fourth down 59–55.

Fourth Quarter – UT Southern Finishes Strong

Down four, the Firehawks delivered their most composed quarter of the night. Vazquez-Troche began to take control offensively, scoring six points in the period while facilitating key possessions. Dickey attacked the rim for two more baskets, while Martinez and Pike provided valuable defensive minutes as UTS tightened its pressure.

A decisive 7–0 run led by Totten's rebounding and Reid's scoring flipped the momentum, turning a deficit into a 71–69 Firehawk lead. With under a minute left, Dickey drove hard to the basket for the go-ahead layup to make it 71–69. She later added a free throw for a three-point cushion. Vazquez-Troche secured the win by grabbing a defensive rebound in the final seconds and sinking a free throw to close out the game.

Team Stats by Quarter

UT Southern shot 44.4 percent from the field, 42.9 percent from three, and 65.5 percent from the free-throw line. Despite being outrebounded 48–32, the Firehawks committed only eight turnovers while forcing sixteen, which proved decisive down the stretch.

Next Game

UT Southern opens Southern States Athletic Conference play on the road at Mobile on Thursday, November 20.

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