Alabama-Huntsville Lady Chargers drop home contest to Benedict in basketball action

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- Down by three with the clock winding down in regulation, Alabama-Huntsville (2-6) senior guard Andrea Bennett (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) got an open look at the basket but the veteran's shot rimmed out and the Lady Chargers fell 81-78 to visiting Benedict on Monday night at Spragins Hall in Huntsville.

In a night that the Lady Chargers had difficulty getting baskets to fall shooting only 31.2% from the field, UAH kept the defensive intensity up and kept the blue and white in the contest against the Tigers.

Early on in the first half, things were clicking for the Lady Chargers as UAH led as much as 20-17 with under 12 to play in the frame but the Tigers then went on a 7-0 run to knot the contest at 20.  Neither team was able to get on a run from that point in the first until late in the opening half when the Tigers turned a 35-34 lead into a 44-36 margin before a Candace Lee three in the final minute of the stanza cut the lead to 44-39 at the half.

Benedict held on to the lead until the 11:51 mark of the second half when UAH freshman guard Jordan Beggs (Clements) hit a big trey to knot the contest at 55-55.  A jumper by fellow freshman Jordan Smith (Hoover) on the Lady Chargers' next possesion gave UAH a 57-55 lead but that would be the final advantage of the night for UAH.

The felines would increase their lead to as many as nine with under six minutes to play but the Lady Chargers fought back and actually pulled to within two points with eight seconds remaining but could not get the basket needed to earn the "w".
Smith and fellow freshman Jasmine Hammon (Muscle Shoals) led UAH with 18 points a piece while Bennett posted a double-double with 13 points and a game-high 18 rebounds.  Utivia Barnes led Benedict in scoring with 18 points.

The Lady Chargers head to Arkansas this weekend for contests against Arkansas Tech and Harding before the traditional Christmas break.