MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The University of Tennessee Southern women's basketball team began Southern States Athletic Conference Championship play on Thursday meeting Brewton-Parker in the quarterfinals. Both teams met two weeks ago in Pulaski, for their lone meeting during the regular season, UTS claimed that day winning 97-74. UTS used three hot shooting quarters to defeat the Barons 68-63 advancing to Friday's semifinal. UT Southern awaits the winner of the top seed #15 William Carey and eighth seed Blue Mountain Christian to be played at 12:30 p.m.
Three Firehawks scored in double figures today. Daysha Reid led all scorers with 21 points. Ashley Dickey netted 17 points. Kassidy Broussard tossed in 11 points with seven boards. After a barrage of triples, UTS opened to a quick 11-point lead in the opening quarter. BPC would battle back with an 11-3 run to end the quarter as UTS led 20-17. UTS shot 7-15 for 47 percent, only connecting with one of five in the final five minutes of the quarter. Dickey led the Firehawk scoring with eight points.
In the second quarter, BPC challenged the Firehawks multiple times, but UTS matched the Barons point for point to preserve their three-point lead. UTS led 35-32 at the half. Reid led the quarter scoring with seven points. The Firehawks struggled from the field  shooting 4-13 (31%), and coming up empty from range.
Needing a big quarter on both ends, the Firehawks found another gear limiting the Barons to nine points and 26 percent shooting. Reid once again added eight points for the Firehawks. UTS connected on 8-17 for 47 percent. UT Southern led 52-41 heading to the final period.
In the final quarter, UTS fell on some hardship only connecting on 2-10 from the field, including one trifecta. Thanks to 11 makes at the free-throw line, UTS was able to push the lead out to 16 points three times in the quarter. Just as it looked as the Firehawks would cruise on to the semifinals, the Barons charged back with a 12-0 run trailing by four with 1:37 left. The Firehawks dodged the Barons comeback attempt to survive and advance.
BY THE NUMBERS
38.2 – UTS shot 21 of 55 for 38.2 percent, one percent worse than the Barons.
5 – UTS connected on five trifectas, four of which were in the first quarter.
21 – UTS made 31 trips to the charity stripe, making 21. BPC made 17 trips making 10.
31 – UT Southern pulled down 31 rebounds, 16 less than the Barons.
30 – UTS scored 30 points in the paint, 10 less than BPC.
21 – UTS forced 21 turnovers by BPC, committing only 17.
SSAC CHAMPIONSHIP
With today's win, UTS advances to the SSAC semifinal tomorrow against either #15 William Carey or Blue Mountain Christian scheduled for tomorrow at one p.m.
Quarterfinal Matchups
(4) UT Southern 68 def. (5) Brewton-Parker 63
(1) #15 William Carey vs. (8) Blue Mountain Christian 12:30 p.m.
(7) Faulkner vs. (2) Loyola 4:30 p.m.
(3) Mobile vs. (6) Life 8 p.m.
 
Semifinal Schedule
UT Southern vs. #15 William Carey/(8) Blue Mountain Christian 1 p.m.
(7) Faulkner/(2) Loyola vs. (3) Mobile/(6) Life 5 p.m.
 
NEXT UP
The Firehawks will await the winner of the #15 William Carey/Blue Mountain Christian on Friday, February 28, at one p.m.
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