TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The 13th-ranked Walters State women's basketball team took a lead into the second quarter but was outscored in each of the final three frames in dropping a 69-64 decision to Wallace State-Hanceville Friday night in the opening round of the Shelton State New Year's Classic held at Shelton State Community College.

The Lady Senators raced out to a 22-17 lead after one behind 8 points from Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu, but an 18-10 second period put the Lions in control at the half, 35-32. Wallace State then outscored Walters State by a single point in each of the final two frames, taking a 48-44 lead into the fourth and leading by as much as 10 in the final 10 minutes before the Lady Senators cut half of the deficit away in the final minute.

With the win, the Lions now stand at 13-3 on the year, while the loss dropped Walters State to 11-3 on the campaign.

Channing Gafford led Wallace State with 20 points in the win, while Jasmine Baker added 17, Imari Martin had 7 and Miajah Bullock, DeMaurea Moore and Tawana Nevels each had 6 in the victory.

Jamya Rogers paced the Lady Senators with 16 points, including 9 in the fourth period, while Mendjiadeu had 14, Brianna Dixon added 11 (8 in second half) and Diamond Forrest had 10 in the contest. Jalayah Manning tallied 6 points, while Derrinesha Jackson had 5 and Teija Wareham had 2 to close out the scoring in the defeat.

The Lady Senators will be back in action Saturday afternoon with a 4 p.m. tipoff against host Shelton State, the 12th-ranked team in the country. The Lady Bucs defeated WSCC 69-55 earlier in the season.