MEMPHIS - The Rhodes College women's basketball team held a 40-39 lead with 7:55 remaining in the fourth quarter, but a 12-0 run by the Birmingham-Southern Panthers put the Panthers ahead for good as they closed the game on a 22-8 run for a 61-48 victory on Friday evening at Mallory Gymnasium.

After a dreadful first half shooting the ball, Rhodes picked it up in the second half, shooting 44% from the field, going 32% for the game. The Lynx were 10 of 13 from the line but only got to the free throw line one time in the second half.

The Panthers were 21 of 61 from the field (34%) and 10 of 34 from deep (29%). BSC got to the line 14 times and out rebounded the Lynx 43-42. They also won the turnover battle 15-11 and held a 19-0 advantage in bench points. 

It was a slow start as the game sat at 2-2 going into the first media timeout at 3:20. Things picked up as BSC went on a 8-0 run to take a 10-2 lead, but sophomore Allie Young answered with a jumper to make it 10-4 at the end of one.

In the second after Rhodes made it a 12-8 game, BSC looked to take control of the game as they opened up a 23-8 lead with under four to play in the half. Rhodes clawed back into it thanks in part to a 10-0 run behind Young and junior Jessie Ustick to make it 23-18 at the break.

Rhodes found their footing in the third quarter as the trio of Young, Ustick, and senior Bailey Kramer took the game over. The Lynx almost immediately cut the deficit to one and got great support on both the offensive and defensive end.

The Lynx tied the game at 28 with under five to go and finally took their first lead of the game with 3:49 to play on a jumper by Ustick, moving ahead 32-31. Rhodes extended it to three, but BSC took the lead back at 36-34 before Young hit a midrange jumped from the base line at the buzzer to tie it at 36 going into the fourth.

The Lynx had their before mentioned fourth quarter lead thanks to jumpers Ustick and junior Erin Deery, but BSC wore the short-handed Lynx down and pulled away for the 13 point win despite a great effort.

Young was excellent, leading all scorers with 18 points to go with 10 boards and three blocks while Ustick had 14 to go with five rebounds. Kramer had eight points and 12 rebounds while senior Blaire Smith finished with six points, five rebounds, and three steals.

Camillia Carter led BSC with 16 points while Christian McGowan had 12 points including four 3-pointers.

Rhodes moves to 1-12 overall and 0-2 in the SAA as they look to snap a tough 10 game losing streak on Sunday as they welcome in Millsaps College for a 1 PM tip off.