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PIKEVILLE, Ky. -- Fourth-seeded Lindsey Wilson women's basketball turned up the defense in the second half to beat fifth-seeded Life (Ga.) 77-70 in the Mid-South Conference Tournament quarterfinals today at the Eastern Kentucky Expo Center.

After Life (18-10) shot nearly 52 percent from the field and led 36-33 at the half, the Blue Raider defense limited the Running Eagles to just 29.4 percent (10-of-34) from the floor to win for the first time this season when trailing at intermission. The Blue Raiders had lost all eight games this season when behind at the half.

Lindsey Wilson (22-9) turned the tables offensively as well after the break. The Blue Raiders shot over 54 percent in the second half after shooting just 39 percent in the first 20 minutes.

Four Blue Raiders scored in double figures to avenge last Saturday's regular-season finale loss in Columbia. Lindsey Wilson lost that game 87-85 to fall from the No. 2 seed in the tournament to the No. 4 seed following the conference's tiebreaker. Lindsey Wilson finished the season tied for second place in the conference standings with Shawnee State (Ohio) and Pikeville (Ky.).

Lindsey Wilson used a 10-0 midway through the third quarter to take a 50-41 lead and provide some separation. Prior to the run, the two teams exchanged blows resulting in seven times and 15 lead changes.

Despite multiple Life spurts over the latter stages of the third and in the fourth period, the Running Eagles never led again.

Jynea Harris led the charge with six of her 14 points during the run. Harris was held scoreless in the first half.

Tierra Tullis -- who scored 13 of her 16 points in the second half -- helped the Running Eagles trim the deficit to 52-46 at the end of three quarters. Life managed to close within a single point (60-59) with 3:21 left in regulation play only to have the Blue Raiders respond.

Last Saturday, it was Life that closed strong -- out-scoring Lindsey Wilson 14-4 over the last four-plus minutes of the game.

Today, the Blue Raiders were the stronger team in the waning minutes of the game.

Leading by just one, Heidi Huffman hit her conference-leading 96th 3-pointer of the of the season and Mid-South Conference Player of the Year Reagan Turner added an old-fashion three-point play to give Lindsey Wilson some breathing room. Huffman finished with 13 points while Turner added a game-high 22 points.

J'Nayah Hall hit one of two free throws to cap the Lindsey Wilson 7-0 run, giving the Blue Raiders a 67-59 lead with 2:01 left.

Lindsey Wilson made 10-of-14 free throws in the final two minutes to secure the seven-point win. The Blue Raiders finished the game making 26 of 35 freebies.

The Blue Raiders ended the game shooting 46.2 percent (24-of-2) from the field compared to Life's 40 percent (26-of-65). Lindsey Wilson did commit 22 turnovers in the game, but Life only scored 13 points off the miscues.

Hall ended with 15 points and nine rebounds while Molly Stone just missed a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds. Gerda Paulauskaite pulled down a game-high 10 boards as Lindsey Wilson outrebounded Life 44-30.

Tullis led Life in scoring while Maeisha Teasley added 14 points for the Running Eagles.

Lindsey Wilson advances to play regular-season champion and top-seeded Campbellsville (Ky.) in the tournament semifinals. Tipoff is slated for 11 a.m. CT on Sunday, March 3, at the Expo Center.