SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – No. 24 UT Southern secured the program's first NAIA Women's Basketball National Championship victory Friday night, holding off Northwestern (Iowa) for an 82-79 win in the opening round of the NAIA First and Second Rounds hosted by Spring Arbor University.
The Firehawks wasted little time setting the tone early. Silkiari Vazquez-Troche opened the scoring with a bucket in the paint before Ashley Dickey and Abbilyn Teter added interior finishes as UT Southern established control in the opening minutes. Dickey continued to attack the lane and convert around the rim, helping the Firehawks push ahead midway through the quarter.
UT Southern's defense also created opportunities in transition, as Dickey came away with multiple steals that led to quick scores. Ramie Reid added a strong finish inside, while Lauren Smith and Mycala Carney contributed late baskets to stretch the lead. By the end of the first quarter, the Firehawks had built a 26-14 advantage.
The Firehawks continued to apply pressure in the second quarter. Smith knocked down a three-pointer early in the period before Reid added two free throws to keep the momentum on UT Southern's side. Carney followed with a key triple and Marypaz Martinez added another from beyond the arc as the Firehawks continued to widen the gap.
Dickey capped the second quarter surge with a deep three of her own and another trip to the free-throw line, helping UT Southern carry a commanding 50-34 lead into halftime.
Coming out of the break, UT Southern maintained its rhythm. Reid buried a three-pointer early in the third quarter and Smith followed with a long-range shot of her own to keep the Firehawks comfortably in front. Dickey continued to score through contact in the paint, while Vazquez-Troche orchestrated the offense and distributed assists as UT Southern built its largest lead of the game late in the third.
Northwestern made a push in the fourth quarter, trimming the deficit with a flurry of three-pointers, but the Firehawks answered each time. Totten finished a strong drive inside and Smith added another key basket down the stretch to keep UT Southern in front.
In the final minutes, the Firehawks leaned on their experience at the free-throw line. Vazquez-Troche and Dickey converted crucial free throws in the closing seconds to seal the historic victory.
Dickey led UT Southern with 25 points, five rebounds, and four steals. Smith added 16 points and four rebounds while knocking down two three-pointers. Vazquez-Troche filled the stat sheet with 12 points, nine assists, four rebounds, and a steal while directing the Firehawk offense.
Reid contributed nine points and three rebounds, while Carney added seven points off the bench. Teter finished with four points and five rebounds, Totten added four points, Martinez chipped in three points and two assists, and Mia Jones scored two points.
UT Southern shot 46.9 percent from the field and forced 23 Northwestern turnovers, turning those opportunities into 27 points.
The Firehawks (23-6) will return to action Saturday, March 14, when they face host and No. 18-ranked Spring Arbor, who defeated Indiana Tech 59-56 earlier in the day, with a trip to the NAIA National Championship final site in Sioux City, Iowa, on the line.
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