TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Stillman College's late rally fell short in Southern States Athletic Conference action against William Carey University, 62-59.

Laneja Warner floated a jumper with 7.9 remaining to make it a one-point game, 60-59. However, Lauren Rowley knocked down a pair of free throws for WCU and the Tigers were unable to score on the final possession to force extra time.

Amaria Strong led Stillman with a career-high 23 points in the game. She started the night by scoring all six of Stillman's points in the first quarter and entered halftime with 10 points and four rebounds.

After leading 10-6 through one quarter, William Carey built its lead to 11 points, 18-7, over the first seven minutes of the second quarter. Kelcie Smith hit a 3 to end Stillman's scoring drought. It was the first of three 3-pointers for Stillman to close the half as Strong and Alexandria Haymon also hit 3s to pull the Tigers within six points at halftime, 24-18.

Sharp shooting continued for the Tigers to open the second half, as Warner hit a 3 on two of Stillman's first three possessions. Haymon later drained a 3 to make it a two-point game, 34-32, with less than five minutes to play in the quarter.

While Stillman out-scored WCU in each of the last two quarters, the Tigers never took the lead. The deficit grew as large as 10 points, 52-42, with 4:30 to play before Stillman out-scored the Crusaders 17-10 down the stretch.

Back-to-back 3s by Haymon pulled Stillman within a basket, 57-55, with 1:29 to play, but a foul on a 3-point shot sent Gabrielle Gallup to the line with 58.4 remaining. She hit 2-of-3 to keep WCU's two-possession lead.

Haymon finished with 16 points, her most points scored in a conference game during her career.

Stillman out-rebounded William Carey, 33-28 with eight defensive boards by Warner to go along with her 11 points and three assists. Jamesha King had six rebounds and Strong finished with five.

Rowley led William Carey with 18 points, and Kolten Blakeney added 16 points. McKinley Seal had nine points and nine rebounds.

Stillman College (12-6, 4-5 SSAC) remains home this Saturday, Jan. 21 to host Blue Mountain Christian University at noon in the only Thursday/Saturday homestand of the season.