Wallace overcame a sluggish first half to earn a 53-50 win over Alabama Southern Community College on Thursday.

A Jarra Arnold layup tied the score at 50 with 56 second left. Kiara Burch answered with a layup to put Wallace ahead with 40 seconds remaining.

The Eagles still had a chance to tie or win, but shot themselves in the foot instead. On Alabama Southern’s ensuing possession, Arnold was whistled for a charge to send Sher’Ryan Scott to the free throw line with only 8.7 seconds remaining.

However, Scott failed to put the Eagles away, hitting only 1-of-2 from the line. Despite the reprieve, Alabama Southern’s Brittany Holloway couldn’t unleash her buzzer-beating 3-point attempt in time, and the Patriots celebrated.

“It’s a big win for us,” said Wallace coach Antoinette Blevins. “They are a great team. I respect them totally.”

Though she will take the win, Blevins was not happy with the Patriots’ early play. Wallace trailed 19-7 at the midway point of the first half, and went into the halftime down 27-21.

However, the Eagles played like a different team in the second half, as the Patriots took the defensive pressure up a notch.

“They changed defenses pretty good,” said Alabama Southern coach Rosalind Jennings. “We didn’t make any shots. We played so lethargic.”

Vinecia Dudley led Wallace with 15 points and Burch added 12.

Latasha Greer paced the Eagles with 16 points. Arnold contributed 15, and Arnold chipped in 15.