Box Score PINEVILLE, La. – McMurry University's women's basketball team overcame a sluggish start, and a second half deficit, to defeat Mississippi College, 63-59, in the first round of the American Southwest Conference tournament.

The win advanced the War Hawks (19-7) to the semi-final round versus No. 1 seed from the ASC East and tournament host,  Louisiana College. LC (23-3)  is ranked No. 22 in the nation and advanced with its 59-53 win over Hardin-Simmons. In the regular season meeting between the schools, Louisiana College topped McMurry, 81-72, on January 7 in Pineville.

McMurry trailed by as much as seven points – 32-25 – in the first half with just 45 seconds left until the break.  However, back-to-back baskets by McM sophomore Keshia Collins rescued her team from a larger hole at the intermission, cutting it to 32-29.

The game remained tight for the entire second half, as neither team could pull away. In all, there were 13 ties in the contest.

The turning point for McMurry seemed to come in the final five minutes of the game when, after a quiet first 35 minutes due to foul trouble, senior post player Celeste Belizario came to life. Belizario tallied all seven of her second-half points in succession in a two-minute span.

The War Hawk team got a needed boost when Belizaro produced a lay-up and foul shot that put her team up 54-51 with 4:48 left. She would eventually give the War Hawks the lead they would not relinquish when, after a thread-the-needle pass from Collins, Belizario converted the short jumper underneath to make it 58-56 with 2:05 left to play.

Two free throws by Collins upped that margin to four points, 60-56, with 1:22 left. But a three-point play by the Choctaws' Elizabeth Brooks (15 points) but it to a single point, 60-59, with 50 seconds remaining.

McMurry junior guard Rikeita Thomas would can three of four free throws as the clock wound down to seal the victory and help the War Hawks advance.

Collins had another stellar performance for McMurry by netting a game–high 17 points. Collins was 7-of-16 from the floor. She also produced game-leading totals with four assists and five steals.

Thomas finished the night with 13 points and Belizario 12. Belizario also grabbed nine rebounds.

M.J. Vickers led McMurry with 11 rebounds. As a team, the War Hawks held a 39-30 cushion on the glass

“It was a fight,” McM head coach Veronica Snow said post-game.  “I'm so thankful.

“I kept talking to the girls about just playing basketball. At the end, Keshia was like 'Get the ball to Celeste.' What a money situation for (Belizario).

“I'm so proud of the team and what we have going.  I have a great coaching staff to help me. It's been a good time so far.”