BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—Led by senior Kayla Fordwith 16 points, the Birmingham-Southern women's basketball team picked up its first win of the season on Thursday evening, defeating in-state rival Huntingdon 71-60 in Bill Battle Coliseum.

The Panthers even their record at 1-1, while the Hawks drop to 0-2.

Huntingdon scored the first basket of the game and led for most of the first half, although the lead changed five times and the teams played to four ties. The Hawks led by as much as seven early in the game, and were up four with 3:57 left in the half before junior Halle Knowlesscored eight straight points, including two three-pointers, to put the Panthers up 32-31 at the break.

BSC would never trail again in the game, although Huntingdon tied things up 43-43 with 12:40 left, the Panthers stayed one step ahead, building up to a nine-point lead with 4:16 left, thanks to a three-pointer from senior Bria Dupree. A jumper from junior Jane Romano put BSC up by 10 with 2:28 left, and Romano hit a three with 1:11 remaining to increase the lead to 71-60.

Ford led three Panthers in double digits, recording 16 points followed by Knowles with 12 and senior Diamond Elston with 10. Sophomore Jasmynn Batts led the team with seven rebounds, and Ford and junior Ashley Curry led with four assists apiece. Knowles alo led with four steals, and Elston had four blocks.

Pat Pickens led all players with 17 points, 14 rebounds, and four assists for Huntingdon.

The Panthers are on the road for their next three games, traveling to face Agnes Scott College this Saturday, Nov. 22 in Atlanta, followed by dates against Emory, Nov. 25 in Atlanta, and Southern Athletic Association rival Millaps, Nov. 30 in Jackson, Miss. BSC returns home to host Agnes Scott Dec. 2 at 6 p.m.