SEWANEE, Tenn. - The Birmingham-Southern women's basketball team had three 20-point scorers and shot 23 of 29 from the free throw line as a team but came up short on the road against conference opposition Sewanee.

The Panthers got off to a great start with a quick 6-0 run inside the opening two minutes. The Tigers then responded with a run of their own scoring eight straight points to take the lead halfway through the opening period. Maya Cable put an end to the Sewanee run with BSC's first three of the afternoon. The home team led by as many as six in the quarter, but the visitors kept their composure and cut the lead to three at the conclusion of the quarter after a Lauryn Towns tip-in.

The second quarter saw excellent offensive displays from both teams but with the Panthers having the edge. After 1:33 in the period, Maya Cable drained her second three-pointer to retake the lead. 'Southern then led by as many as four with the score 25-21, but back-and-forth scores created an exciting atmosphere. The second ten minutes included seven lead changes with seven field goals in the paint from BSC and five from Sewanee. With 1:27 to go, Maya Cable knocked down both free throws to put the Panthers up one at the break, 42-41.

After impressive offensive displays from both sides, the third quarter was scoreless for the opening three minutes. Sewanee then scored the first four points of the period and held the Panthers off until Montana Harris scored on a fast break after a Sheraton Foster steal with 5:05 remaining. BSC found themselves down one with 3:36 left in the third and then sparked a small run. Montana Harris dominated in the paint with two consecutive buckets before Maya Cable put in another three to take a 57-51 lead. Sewanee cut the deficit to two with 11 seconds left in the quarter, but Sheraton Foster splashed yet another clutch three-pointer as time expired to grab a five-point lead heading into the final frame.

Needing to close out the game, the BSC offense got cold at the wrong time. The team missed their first seven field goals of the quarter and did not score from the field until Montana Harris knocked down a jumper in the paint with 3:11 to go. The Panthers did however make five free throws and played solid defense to keep the game close and found themselves down only two after back-to-back Harris scores with 3:11 remaining. Sewanee then led by six with 1:29 left after two consecutive scores and stops. With 52 seconds remaining, the Tigers made only one of two free throws to take a four-point lead. Sheraton Foster stayed aggressive on the next possession and got fouled to take a crucial trip to the line. She made both free throws to trim the deficit to two with 29 seconds left. BSC had to start fouling, and Sewanee would finish a perfect four for four from the free throw line with two more Sheraton Foster free throws in between to emerge victorious on the afternoon, 81-77.  

Records
Birmingham-Southern (5-18) (2-10 SAA), Sewanee (6-16) (4-7 SAA).

Up Next
Birmingham-Southern will be back home for the final home stand of the season on Friday, Feb. 9 against Hendrix. Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m.