PULASKI, Tenn. - UT Southern delivered a complete performance Thursday afternoon, pulling away from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College for an 80–58 victory at the Curry Athletic Complex. The game was moved up earlier in the day due to a wintry forecast, but the Firehawks wasted no time setting the tone and controlled the contest from start to finish.

The Firehawks came out aggressive, establishing a physical presence inside through Ramie Reid and pushing tempo off defensive stops. Reid was active early on the glass, creating second-chance opportunities as UT Southern built momentum in the opening quarter.
UT Southern separated itself in the second period with its best stretch of the afternoon. Ashley Dickey sparked the offense with strong drives and playmaking, while Abbilyn Teter and Lauren Smith knocked down timely shots to fuel a decisive run. The Firehawks dominated the paint and turned turnovers into transition points, taking a commanding halftime lead.

Coming out of the break, UT Southern stayed relentless. Reid continued to finish through contact, scoring efficiently while anchoring the interior defensively. Mycala Carney controlled the tempo, distributing the ball and keeping the offense organized as the Firehawks extended the lead into double figures.

The fourth quarter was all about composure and balance. Marypaz Martinez provided a lift off the bench with perimeter shooting and defensive energy, while Taya Totten attacked gaps and converted at the free-throw line to keep the lead comfortable. UT Southern closed the game shooting over 60 percent in the final period, pushing the margin to as many as 22 points.

Reid led the Firehawks with 18 points and a team-high 10 rebounds, adding a block and controlling the paint on both ends. Dickey finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and 10 steals, stuffing the stat sheet and setting the tone defensively.
Teter added 13 points on 5-of-11 shooting, knocking down two triples and contributing three rebounds. Smith chipped in nine points and nine rebounds while shooting an efficient 3-of-5 from the floor. Carney contributed six points and seven assists, directing traffic throughout the game.

Off the bench, Martinez scored eight points on 3-of-4 shooting, including two three-pointers, while Totten added nine points in 18 minutes. UT Southern finished the afternoon with 44 rebounds, 24 assists, and 18 steals, turning defense into offense all game long.
UT Southern will be back in action quickly, hosting Thomas University on Friday, January 23, at noon at the Curry Athletic Complex.

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