PULASKI, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee Southern women's basketball team began the final home stretch of the season in a rare Wednesday evening match up with Faulkner. The Firehawks suffocated the Eagles on both ends of the floor earning a big Southern States Athletic Conference win 79-51. UTS moved to 10-8 on the season and 9-5 in league play.
Four Firehawks scored in double figures. Daysha Reid led the Firehawks with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Takiyah Goff netted 15 points. Kassidy Broussard and Ashley Dickey added 14 points each. Lauren Smith missed a double double with nine points and nine boards.
Faulkner led once in the game at 3-2 in the opening quarter. UTS constricted the Eagles in the final eight minutes of the opening quarter out scoring Faulkner 20-6, leading 22-9 after one. UTS forced 11 turnovers only allowing nine total Eagle shots. UTS shot 8-22 for 36 percent. Dickey led the Firehawks with nine points.
UTS continued the onslaught in the second quarter pushing the lead to 24 points in the final two minutes of the half. The Eagles scored the final five points on the quarter as UTS led 40-21 at the half. UTS shot 7-16 (44%) from the floor draining four triples. The defense tallied 10 more Eagle miscues in the quarter.
The Firehawks continued the methodical attack leading by as many as 30 twice in the third. Uts led 60-32 with one quarter to go. UT Southern shot 9-19 (47%) in the period. Goff and Broussard led the attack scoring five points each.
The Firehawks held their ground in the final quarter stretching out to their largest lead of 31. Faulkner tried to chip away at the lead, but couldn't get closer than 28. UTS shot 6-13 in the final period draining over 40 percent for the third straight quarter.
BY THE NUMBERS
42.9 – UTS shot 30 of 70 for 42.9 percent, five percent more than the Eagles.
9 – UTS connected on nine trifectas, seven more than FU.
10 – UTS made 14 trips to the charity stripe, making 10. Faulkner made 16 trips making nine.
37 – UT Southern pulled down 37 rebounds, seven less than the Eagles.
11 – UTS committed 11 turnovers, forcing 17 by Faulkner.
30 – The Firehawks netted 30 points off Faulkner turnovers.
NEXT UP
The Firehawks will return to the court on Saturday, hosting Brewton-Parker in the SSAC Game of the Week. Tipoff is set for noon on January 15. The Firehawks will celebrate their seniors during the festivities.
FOLLOW THE FIREHAWKS
Don't miss a minute of the latest action surrounding UTS Athletics by following the Firehawks on Twitter (@utsathletics), Instagram (@utsouthernathletics), and Facebook (@UT Southern Firehawks).