PULASKI, Tenn. – UT Southern closed out its non-conference schedule on a high note Monday night at the Curry Athletic Complex, pulling away from Stillman for a 71-51 victory to secure its fifth consecutive win.
The Firehawks established control early, building a 19-12 lead after the opening quarter behind active defense and efficient ball movement. UT Southern widened the gap in the second period, stringing together a decisive run that featured stops on the defensive end and scoring in transition. The Firehawks outscored Stillman 26-13 in the quarter to take a commanding 45-25 advantage into halftime.
Ashley Dickey paced UT Southern offensively with 17 points, consistently creating scoring opportunities off the dribble and converting timely baskets during the Firehawks' second-quarter surge. Silkiari Vazquez-Troche guided the offense throughout the night, finishing with eight points, seven assists, three rebounds and three steals while setting the tempo and disrupting passing lanes on defense.
UT Southern maintained its momentum in the third quarter, extending the lead behind strong interior play from Ramie Reid, who recorded 12 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Reid's presence on the glass limited second-chance opportunities and helped the Firehawks control the flow of the game. Lauren Smith added six points, providing a steady scoring presence and knocking down free throws in key moments.
The Firehawks sealed the win in the fourth quarter by locking in defensively, holding Stillman to just eight points in the final period. Marypaz Martinez delivered a lift off the bench with 11 points, while Taya Totten and Abbilyn Teter contributed across the stat sheet to cap a balanced team performance.
Earlier in the day, Dickey and Vazquez-Troche were honored by the Southern States Athletic Conference, with Dickey named Offensive Player of the Week and Vazquez-Troche earning Defensive Player of the Week recognition, highlighting the duo's impact during UT Southern's recent stretch of success.
UT Southern returns to conference action on Saturday, January 10, when the Firehawks travel to Blue Mountain Christian.
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