LaGrange, Ga. — The Belhaven University women’s basketball team saw its season come to an end Saturday afternoon, falling 69-62 to LaGrange in the Collegiate Conference of the South Championship game at Mariotti Gymnasium.
The Blazers finished the year with a 19-7 record after making their second consecutive CCS title game appearance. Following the game, Katelyn Coleman and Veronica Williams were named to the CCS All-Tournament Team for their performances during the weekend.
Williams led Belhaven with 20 points, shooting 3 of 5 from three-point range and 7 of 8 from the free-throw line. She also added six steals in 40 minutes. Coleman finished with 11 points and three rebounds, while Ny Jones scored nine points and dished out five assists. Jasi Jenkins provided a boost off the bench with 10 points and five rebounds.
The championship game was a physical, defensive contest that opened with an early lead for Belhaven. Kyla Farmer scored the first points on a layup, giving the Blazers a 2-0 advantage. LaGrange responded with an 8-0 run, highlighted by inside scoring from Mya Anderson and Laila Battle, to take a 13-5 lead.
Belhaven responded late in the first quarter. RaMya King and Jones scored inside, and Farmer added a free throw to cut the deficit. The Blazers trailed 13-11 after the opening period. LaGrange pushed its lead to 29-20 before halftime, but Belhaven closed the half strong with back-to-back threes from Williams, making it 31-28 at the break.
Both teams traded runs in the third quarter, with five lead changes and two ties. Belhaven took its first lead since early in the game on a jump shot from Coleman. The quarter ended with the Blazers ahead 49-48, thanks to efficient shooting that period.
In the fourth, Belhaven took an early lead but LaGrange responded with a 6-0 run. Jenkins scored six straight points inside to keep the Blazers close. However, second-chance opportunities and free throws by LaGrange sealed the victory with a final score of 69-62. The Panthers held a 46-31 rebounding edge and outscored Belhaven 18-0 in second-chance points.
Belhaven concludes its season with a 19-7 record, having secured the No. 2 seed in the CCS Tournament. The team advanced to the championship game for the second straight year. For updates, follow @BelhavenBlazers on Twitter and Instagram, and like Belhaven Athletics on Facebook.
