NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Stevenson women's basketball team was unable to maintain its first half momentum as it fell 71-59, to Carthage on day one of the Music City Classic at the Dallas Floyd Recreation Center.

Stevenson (6-4) forced turnovers on the Lady Red's first three possessions as the Mustangs took an 5-0 lead over Carthage (6-4) early.  Stevenson's defense remained strong as it held Carthage scoreless for almost half of the opening period until a Lady Red steal led to a fast break layup by Rachel Szydlowski.  

Leading 5-2 with just under four and a half minutes to play in the first period, senior Niavanni Grant hit a free throw and classmate Sara Tarbert added two layups to extend the Mustangs' lead to 10-2.  The Lady Reds responded with five straight points but the Mustangs held onto the lead as the teams traded baskets the rest of the way.  Stevenson held a 14-11 advantage after one period.  The Mustangs totaled nine forced turnovers while Tarbert totaled 13 points.

Bailey Gilbert hit a three pointer just 12 seconds into the second period to lock the game at 14, but freshman Bianca Elize Santos responded with a jumper to regain the Mustang lead.   Carthage tied the game two more times before taking its first lead of the game on a step back three pointer banked in from Autumn Kalis with 1:27 remaining in the half.  Kalis hit another three as the Lady Reds held onto a 24-22 advantage at the break.

In the first half, Stevenson led 11-9 in forced turnovers and 23-22 in rebounds.  Carthage finished 4-12 from behind the arc.

On Stevenson's first possession of the second half, junior Imani Sanders hit a deep jumper with one second on the shot clock to tie the game, 24-24.  Carthage hit its next three shots as it took back and extended its lead to six, but a layup from Tarbert made it 34-30 with 6:15 to play in the third quarter.  The Lady Reds maintained control as the Stevenson struggled to convert and finish its free throw opportunities.  Carthage scored six straight to end the period as the Mustangs trailed 45-35 entering the final frame.

Carthage stretched its lead to 13 before Grant drove and converted on an old-fashioned three point play with six and a half minutes remaining in the game.  On the next Mustang possession, Grant grabbed an offensive board and add another two points for Stevenson, cutting its deficit to seven, 53-46.  

The Lady Reds hit their next three shots to push their lead back to 13, but a pair of layups from Tarbert and free throws from senior Kameron Ward made it another seven point game, 62-55, with just over two and half minutes in the game.  That was as close as they would get as the Mustangs dropped their second straight.

Stevenson held a 43-41 advantage on the boards and 16-15 in forced turnovers.  The Mustangs finished 7-21 from the foul line, while Carthage finished 15-25 from the free throw line and went 8-21 from behind the arc.

Tarbert recorded her 10th double-double of the season with 24 points, 14 rebounds, and three assists.  Joining Tarbert in double figures, Grant totaled 10 points and four rebounds.  Junior Kaitlyn VanTash added eight rebounds.

Tarbert has now totaled 1,341 points in two-plus seasons at Stevenson and sits 48 point shy of becoming the program's all-time leading scorer.  Cara Hill totaled 1,389 points from 2003-07.

The Mustangs return to action on Friday, December 30th as they face Lynchburg on day two of the Music City Classic.  Game time is 7:00 p.m.