MOBILE, Ala. – The University of Tennessee Southern women's basketball team returned to the road for their final two game road trip of the regular season on Thursday. The Firehawks fell in a close match to Mobile 82-76. UTS moved to 9-7 on the season and 8-4 in league play.
Three Firehawks scored in double figures. Kassidy Broussard led all scorers with 29 points. Reigning as SSAC Offensive Player of the Week, Takiyah Goff added 20 points. Ashley Dickey tossed in 10 points.
UT Southern took the first lead in the game and led the Rams 6-0 over the first three minutes. The would retake the lead later in the quarter, but UTS would close back to trail 16-12 after one. Broussard led the Firehawks with eight points, connecting five of six trips to the free throw line. The team struggled from the floor in the opening 10 minutes, shooting 3-16 (19%).
In the second quarter, the Firehawks outscored the Rams 23-19 in the second quarter. The Firehawks had a chance to take the lead at the halftime buzzer but a forced turnover kept the score tied. Goff led the scoring attack by netting seven points. UTS shot 6-15 (40%)  in the quarter.
In the third, Goff added eight more points giving her 15. UTS continued to shoot the rock well draining 6-15 shots shooting 40%. UTS continued to fight neck and neck in the final quarter. The Firehawks opened up a six point advantage with four and a half minutes left. In the final minutes, UM stretched out to an 78-71 lead, but UTS pulled back to within four with 10 seconds left. A unusual interpretation on a delay of game negated a great defensive stand by the Firehawks.
BY THE NUMBERS
37.9 – UTS shot 22 of 58 for 37.9 percent, nine percent less than the Rams.
11 – UTS connected on 11 trifectas, six more than UM.
21 – UTS made 31 trips to the charity stripe, making 21. UM made 19 trips making 15.
26 – UT Southern pulled down 26 rebounds, 19 less than the Rams.
6 – UTS' largest lead of the game was six, 68-60, with 4:32 left in the fourth.
15 – UTS forced 15 turnovers by UM, committing 16.
17 – There were 17 ties in the game, and 16 lead changes.
NEXT UP
The Firehawks will travel to Hattiesburg, Miss., to oppose William Carey on February 8. Tipoff is set for noon. WCU defeated the Firehawks on November 16, 87-75.
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