TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Stillman College women's basketball dropped its first non-conference game of the season Thursday night, falling to Rust College, 62-54, in Birthright Alumni Hall. Both teams entered the game receiving votes in the NAIA national poll.

 
Post players Jamesha King and Farrah Pearson scored 15 and 14 points, respectively, to lead Stillman. However, four of the starting five played in foul trouble during the night. Pearson made 10-of-12 free throws, most of which came in the first half. She led all players at halftime with 11 points. 

Stillman led by two after the first quarter, but Rust out-paced the Tigers, 21-14, in the second quarter to carry a five-point lead into halftime, 33-28. 

The Tigers opened the third quarter with a 10-0 run to lead 38-33, before Rust found its first second-half basket. Laneja Warner and Imani Wimbish-Gay scored the first baskets of the second half to pull Stillman within a point, 33-32. Kelcie Smith later hit a pair of free throws to give the Tigers a 34-33 lead with 6:53 to play in the third quarter.  Lyric Turner ended the 10-0 run with a 3-pointer, and Smith matched it on the other end before Rust went on its own 10-0 run. 

After taking the lead, 44-41, on a Dekeriya Patterson 3, Rust never didn't let it go. The Bearcats' largest lead was 10 points, 60-50, with 3:18 to play. 

Katie Blackmon scored 11 to lead Rust., while Turner and Zoe Alexander each had 10 points. 

The Tigers shot 40.5% in the game, while holding Rust to 37.5%, however Stillman was out-rebounded 38-29 and had 29 turnovers. 

Stillman (8-3, 0-2 SSAC) returns to Southern States Athletic Conference action on Saturday with a trip to William Carey University. Tipoff is noon CST.