RIO GRANDE - It was do-or-die for the University of Rio Grande Redwomen basketball team in their hunt for a berth in the American Mideast Conference Tournament on Tuesday night as they faced the Urbana Lady Blue Knights.

Rio Grande won a closely contested affair, 64-60, at the Newt Oliver Arena.

Rio Grande (15-7, 4-5 AMCS) fell behind 7-2 after baskets by Urbana's Nicole Baptiste and Missy Miller. The Redwomen continued to battle and stayed close, trailing only 29-26 at halftime. Junior guard Angel Allen delivered eight points in the first 20-minutes of action to help the Rio Grande cause. Allen ended the game with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Junior forward Alkia Fountain registered another double-double with 14 points (12 in the second half) and 14 rebounds. Tiffanie Hager added 10 points and nine boards despite fouling out in the final four minutes. Enter freshman center Candace Ferguson.

Ferguson sparked the Redwomen and helped to get the victory. The Ironton native scored four consecutive points to tie the game at 51-51, played tough defense, gathered in a crucial rebound of a Miller miss with two seconds on the clock and then sealed the deal by knocking down a pair of free throws, making the score 64-60.

Sophomore guard Marcia Smoot was on the verge of double figures with nine points and Jessica Worwell pulled down six rebounds.

Baptiste was nearly unstoppable and almost single-handedly beat the Redwomen. Baptiste tallied 28 points, pulled down six rebounds, blocked three shots and swiped two steals for Urbana (14-6, 6-4 AMCS). She was the only Lady Blue Knight to score in double figures.

Miller, who scored 21 points in Urbana's win over Rio Grande, Jan. 6 (in which she nailed six 3-pointers), was held to seven points in 35 minutes of play. She was only 2-of-10 from the field and 1-of-9 from behind the arc.

Neither team shot the ball particularly well. Rio Grande connected on 23-of-60 attempts from the field (38 percent) and did not make a three-point shot (0-for-6). Urbana shot only 33 percent from the floor (23-of-69), 23.5 percent from the arc (4-of-17). Rio was 18-of-24 from the free throw line (75 percent) while Urbana was 10-of-17 (59 percent) on the night.

A key to the victory for the Redwomen was the rebound margin. Rio Grande dominated the glass, 52-38. Rio Grande posted 25 turnovers to only 15 for Urbana.

Rio Grande was able to avenge a 68-56 loss at Urbana, January 6.