PULASKI, Tenn. - Roads in North Alabama and Tennessee may have frozen over during the last week to postpone games, but Stillman College was not deterred Monday afternoon, beating the University of Tennessee Southern, 65-44, in Southern States Athletic Conference women's basketball action.

The game, which starts a four-game week for Stillman, was originally set for Wednesday, Jan. 17 before the winter storm hit pause on competitions last week.

Kashara Preston buried a 3 on the Tigers' first possession, sparking a Tigers' offense that shot 50% in the first quarter. Stillman only trailed once, 9-8, midway through the first quarter before another Preston 3 pushed the Tigers back in front. UT Southern shot 66% in the first half to hang with the Tigers, as Stillman carried a narrow 18-16 lead into the second quarter. Stillman began to pull away in the second quarter, extending its lead to eight points, 28-19, on a pair of KeAsia McKinney free throws.  It was 34-27 at the half. 

Alexandria Haymon opened the second half with a 3 to push the Tigers' lead to double digits, 37-27. Jamariah Turner used a pair of back-to-back layups as part of a 6-0 run to push Stillman's lead to 19 points, 49-30, with less than three minutes to play in the third quarter. Defensively, Stillman did not allow a field goal in the third quarter, holding the Firehawks to a cold 0-for-11 from the field. The only five UTS points in the quarter came on free throws.

Raena Suggs gave Stillman its first 20-point lead, 63-42, with a 3-pointer with three minutes remaining. The lead eventually grew to 22 points, 65-43, with a Turner layup in the final minute. 

Suggs and Preston each finished with 12 points in the game, with Turner contributing eight from the bench. Farrah Pearson balanced 15 points throughout the game to lead Stillman. She also had eight rebounds and three assists. 

UT Southern was led by 11 points apiece from Takiyah Goff and Myah Sutton.

Stillman (8-7, 4-5 SSAC) will return home to Birthright Alumni Hall in Tuscaloosa for three more games this week, hosting Talladega College in non-conference action Tuesday night at 5:30 p.m. The Tigers will host Brewton-Parker College and Middle Georgia State University in conference action on Thursday and Saturday, respectively.