BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Birmingham-Southern women's basketball team advanced to the semifinals of the 2017 Southern Athletic Association tournament after fending off Rhodes College 59-51 in game one. BSC (16-10) will play Oglethorpe University at 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon for a chance to defend their title.

The Panthers were led by Jothani Dixon (Tuscumbia, Ala./Deshler HS) and Christian McGowan (Birmingham, Ala./Oak Mountain HS) offensively.  They finished with a team-best 15 and 12 points respectively.  Dixon went 5-for-6 from the floor and McGowan shot 50 percent from three-point range.

Laura Van Peursem (Huntsville, Ala./Randolph HS) grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds and earned two blocks and two steals.

BSC swept Oglethorpe (15-11) this season.  The won 64-55 on January 13 at home and then upset the Stormy Petrels on the road 55-49 back on February 10. 

Oglethorpe defeated Sewanee 88-62 to advance to the semifinals.  They shot over 65 percent from the floor in the first half, making two-thirds of their threes to take a commanding lead.  Oglethorpe averaged 64 points per game coming into the tournament.

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