MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The University of Tennessee Southern women's basketball team came up short in the Southern States Athletic Conference opening round in a 68-57 loss to seventh seed Brewton-Parker on Wednesday. Three Firehawks scored in double figures. Lauren Smith led the way with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Aaryn Grace Lester tossed in 14 points. Kassidy Broussard pitched in 11 points.

Ut Southern (7-19) trailed by four after one. The opening stanza would feature three ties as the Firehawks and Barons traded baskets. In the second quarter, the Firehawks would take the lead 25-24 with under two minutes left. Brewton-Parker (18-11) closed out the period scoring the final seven points to lead 31-25 at the break.

In the third quarter, Smith would net 10 of her 16 points. UTS would get back to within five but BPC bounced back to extend the Baron's lead. Heading to the final period, BPC led 51-44. In the final period, UTS could only close in to trail by eight. BPC outrebounded UTS 38-37.

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