TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Stillman women's basketball erased an early deficit and carried a lead late, but Fisk University closed the final minutes on a 7-0 run to edge the Lady Tigers, 43-39, Wednesday evening inside Birthright Alumni Hall.

Fisk jumped out to a 20-10 advantage after the first quarter, spurring Stillman to settle in defensively and methodically worked their way back into the game. The Lady Tigers won the second quarter 11-7 and trimmed the margin to 27-21 at halftime.

Stillman continued to chip away after the break, holding Fisk to just six points in the third while scoring 12 to pull even at 33-33 entering the fourth. The Lady Tigers briefly took control early in the final period and later pushed in front 39-36 on a Mya Jones layup with 4:42 remaining, but Fisk answered with a pair of baskets from Ari Branch to regain the lead and never trailed again. Dee Scott's layup with 36 seconds left extended the margin to 42-39, and Fisk added a free throw in the final moments to seal it.

Jaida Minter paced the Lady Tigers with nine points and eight rebounds, while Jordan Harris finished with eight points. Jones added six points, and Tyeesha Slaughter provided five points off the bench. Stillman out-rebounded Fisk 43-38 and created 17 second-chance points, but Fisk forced 24 turnovers and turned them into 20 points to swing a tight defensive battle.

For Fisk, Branch led all scorers with 17 points, while Scott posted 13 points and 12 rebounds. Kayla Lee added five points and was disruptive defensively with six steals and six blocks.

Up Next: Stillman returns to Birthright Alumni Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 5, hosting Arkansas Baptist at 5:30 p.m. for Senior Night.