Box Score MARIETTA – For the third consecutive game, the ABAC Fillies took a Southern States Athletic Conference foe down to the wire before falling to Life University 62-55 in Marietta Saturday afternoon.
 
The Lady Eagles led 43-41 entering the fourth quarter and the Fillies stayed within striking distance the rest of the way. Life's lead grew to seven points before ABAC's Reese Riddle converted a three-point play and Malaja Dyous hit a pair of throws to make it 53-51 with 3:49 left. But the Fillies managed only one more basket and two more free throws from there as the Lady Eagles defense held strong to seal the win.
 
ABAC battled Life evenly inside as the home team held a slight edge in rebounds (42-41) and the Fillies outscored the Lady Eagles inside, 30-24. While ABAC's defense had improved over the last three conference games, holding William Carey, Middle Georgia State, Point, and Life University to an average of 68 points per game, their offensive woes continue. Saturday, the Fillies shot 30 percent from the field and were 1-of-14 from 3-point range.
 
The first half was as tight as the second as ABAC's largest deficit was seven points.
 
Sophomore Shakiria Chaney led ABAC with 28 points and 10 rebounds while Riddle scored 17. Aniyah Offutt led four Lady Eagles in double figures with 16 points.
 
The Fillies will return to Gressette Gym for the first time in a month on Monday night to begin the final week of the season. They will get a rematch with Life University Monday at 5:30 p.m. before hosting Brewton-Parker Thursday in the final home game of the year. They will end the season with a road trip to Thomasville next Saturday to face the Night Hawks from Thomas University.