The Lady Cougars exploded for 31 points in the third quarter as they overtook the Lady Tigers of Chattanooga State 65-59.  With the win they secured the #2 seed in the East Division for next week's Region Tournament.  Their opponent will be the Lady Tigers once again, but the game will be played at Cleveland State in the L. Quentin Lane Gymnasium.  Game time is set for 6 p.m. on Tuesday night.

It was a sluggish game at the start as neither team could find the bottom of the net.  Chattanooga had a slim 9-7 lead after one quarter, but built it to a 26-18 lead at the half.  Kiara Wilson came off the bench to score three baskets to keep the score close as the first twenty minutes came to a close.

The Lady Cougars fell behind by as much as 12 points early in the second half, but then Michaela Bennefield announced herself to the Lady Tigers and went to work.  Her strength inside and rebounding ability fueled the Lady Cougars on a stretch in the third quarter where they outsocred their opponents 31-17  to take a 49-43 lead going in to the final ten minutes.  For the game, she was 11 of 12 from the field which included 2 of 2 from three point range for a game high 25 points.  She also collected a team high 13 rebounds and five steals in the game.

Asjah Harrell also reached double digits with ten points as well as four steals and three assists.  Kyeisha Dalton finished with nine points to go with seven boards.