DANVILLE, Ky. - The Birmingham-Southern women's basketball team looked to move up in the SAA standings with a win over the SAA leaders but fell just short in the fourth quarter. 

The Panthers took a three-point lead to the fourth quarter against the league leading Centre Colonels. During the first spurt of play Birmingham-Southern extended their lead to seven points. BSC held the lead until around the three minute mark when Centre took an 86-85 lead. Their first time with the lead since 67-66 in the third quarter. Centre closed the game on a 13-4 run and defeated the Panthers. 

Five Birmingham-Southern players scored in double-figures with Brooke Westhoelter leading the charge. Westhoelter scored 16-points en route to her 10th consecutive double-figure performance. Sameera Elmasri and Sheraton Foster each recorded 12-points in the loss. Foster added a team-high five assists to her stat line. Faith Anderson recorded 11 points, while McKenna Buckner rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10. 

The Colonels were led by six players in double-figures. Natalie Duggins scored a game-high 20 points and came one rebound shy from recording a double-double as she grabbed 9 boards. Katelyn Stiltner added 15 to Centre's total while two other Colonels scored 13 points in the win. 

What it means
The Panthers dropped a spot in the standings as they are now tied for third place with Berry. As of now the Panthers hold the tiebreaker over the Vikings and still sit in a spot to host at least the quarterfinal round of the SAA Conference Tournament. 

Records
Birmingham-Southern 12-8 (5-4 SAA), Centre 15-5 (9-0 SAA)

Up next
The Panthers will enter the final stretch of their five game road trip as they take on Oglethorpe on Friday, Feb. 3. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. central time.