JACKSON, Miss. – The W women's basketball once again found itself unable to solve regional-rival Belhaven University, losing by a 69-44 score at Rugg Arena in the non-conference bout. The Owls (1-8) saw their all-time record versus the Blazers (3-6) slip to 0-8.
As has been the case several times in 2024-25 – despite playing well in the first and fourth periods – the game turned into a sandwich of frustration, as the offense drifted in the middle two quarters.
MUW took a 16-13 lead on a three-ball from
Jessica Hughes with 2:33 left in the first quarter. That would, unfortunately for the Owls, start a scoring drought that spread into the second quarter. The Blazers opened the second stanza on a 9-0 run – and a 15-0 run since Hughes' bucket – to lead, 28-16.
A layup by
Calysia Phillips broke the dry spell with 5:13 remaining until the intermission. Belhaven carried a 12-point cushion, 39-27, into halftime.
In the third period, the Owls were outscored 10-2. A Phillips jumper at the 6:30 juncture was the lone points for the visitors in the period. The final period saw MUW go without a point until
Claire Leak's trey at 6:08, finishing the stanza with 15 points as a unit, but unable to stop the Blazers from extending their lead.
Conley Langford led the Owls with 13 points, including three baskets from beyond the arc. Langford also grabbed three rebounds.
Phillips finished the night with eight points, five rebounds and a block to her credit. Hughes added five points.
Guard
Zia Shields topped all players with seven rebounds.
Reshya Hudson and Leak each pulled down four caroms.
The W will next play another non-league match-up on Wednesday (Dec. 18/3 p.m.) at Huntingdon College.
