Box Score TIFTON – The ABAC Fillies stayed within striking distance throughout the night before falling in their conference opener to Middle Georgia's Knights 66-55 Thursday night at Gressette Gym.
                The game was ABAC's first ever Southern States Athletic Conference and a slow start proved too much to overcome. The Fillies trailed 21-10 at the end of the first period and played even with the visitors for the rest of the game.
                ABAC opened the second period with a 7-0 run to cut the Knights' lead to four. Freshman Reese Riddle followed a free throw with a jumper two minutes later before Faith Hillmon and Shakeria Chaney added baskets to make it 21-17 with just under seven minutes left before halftime. ABAC trailed 34-26 at the half and Middle Georgia opened the second half with a run of its own, stretching the lead to 50-34.
                The Knights' lead grew to as much as 18 points on Keiane' Rollins' basket inside with 4:24 left in the game. But the young Fillies wouldn't fold as Chaney scored three consecutive baskets followed by Camiva Starks' jumper to cut the lead to 62-53 with 1:30 left. But it was too little too late as the Knights sealed the win.
                Chaney led ABAC with 24 points and nine rebounds while point guard Emily Gamon added 10 and Riddle scored seven. MGSU was led by ZaKyria Johnson's 24 points while Rollins added 16 to go with 10 rebounds.
                Now 2-4 on the year, ABAC returns to Gressette Saturday at noon to face Point University in another SSAC matchup.