MCKENZIE, Tenn. – The UT Southern women's basketball team faced another nationally ranked opponent on Tuesday evening, falling 74-57 to No. 4 Bethel University inside Crisp Arena.

The matchup marked the Firehawks' fourth game in six days and came less than 24 hours after a home victory over Rust College.

Ramie Reid and the Firehawks came out strong, building an early 4-0 advantage, but the Wildcats responded with a run late in the opening quarter to claim a 22-14 lead. Bethel continued to build momentum in the second quarter, using a hot shooting performance from beyond the arc to take a 42-23 lead into halftime.

UT Southern settled in defensively after the break and matched Bethel point-for-point in the third quarter. The Firehawks held the Wildcats to just 10 points in the period, but still trailed 52-33 entering the final 10 minutes.

The Firehawks showed their resilience in the fourth quarter, posting their highest-scoring period of the night with 24 points. UT Southern shot nearly 59 percent from the floor in the final frame and received contributions throughout the lineup, but Bethel maintained enough separation to secure the victory.

Reid led the Firehawks with a double-double, totaling 11 points and 10 rebounds. Ansley Burleson added nine points while connecting on three three-pointers, and Lauren Smith and Debrionna Jones chipped in seven points each. Abbilyn Teter pulled down nine rebounds and added six points as UT Southern owned a 40-31 advantage on the boards.

Despite winning the rebounding battle, turnovers proved costly. The Firehawks committed 18 turnovers, which the Wildcats converted into 18 points. Bethel also knocked down 11 three-pointers and received 25 points from its bench.

By the Numbers

• Ramie Reid: 11 points, 10 rebounds
• Ansley Burleson: 9 points, 3-for-5 from three-point range
• Lauren Smith: 7 points, 2 steals
• Debrionna Jones: 7 points, 5 rebounds
• Abbilyn Teter: 6 points, 9 rebounds
• UT Southern outrebounded Bethel, 40-31
• Bethel made 11 three-pointers
• The Wildcats scored 18 points off 18 Firehawk turnovers

UT Southern returns to action Thursday, Nov. 12, when the Firehawks open Southern States Athletic Conference play at Faulkner University.

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