JACKSON, Miss. - In the opening round of the SCAC Conference Tournament at Millsaps the Southwestern women's basketball team out-rebounded Centre 40-34 and made 14-16 from the free throw line in the final 3:11 to seal the 84-70 win.

After cautious starts by both teams the contest was tied 15-15 with 11 minutes to go in the first half before Reilly Robertson rattled off six straight points and sparked a 17-7 rally to put Southwestern up by 11, 32-21, five minutes before halftime.

Centre chipped away at the lead and came within three points, 32-29, with 1:23 to go in the half but Katelyn Bartell's (pictured) three pointer pushed SU's lead back to six 35-29 heading into the break.

Back to back three pointers by Chelsea Leeder and Shae Seagraves pushed the Pirates' lead back to 10, 41-31, two minutes into the second half.

Centre refused to give up and pulled within two points, 43-41 with just over 13 minutes on the clock but three, three pointers and two free throws gave Southwestern an 11 point lead once again at the midway point of the final frame. 

The Colonols pulled close, refusing to go away and were within four points, 61-57 with 5:57 remaining. It was all Southwestern for the duration of the game as they scored 23 points in the final five minutes and held Centre to 13 points.

Robertson, Seagraves and Bartell scored 20 points each to lead the way, combining for 71% of Southwestern's points. As a team the Pirates committed just 11 turnovers and had seven steals in the win while shooting 43.9% from the field and an outstanding 50% from three point range.

The win improves SU to 17-9 on the season and advances them to the semifinal against #1 Hendrix who defeated #4 Oglethorpe 80-57 in earlier action. Game time is set for 1:00 pm on Saturday. Hendrix defeated the Pirates in both games earlier in the year.