TUSCALOSSA, Ala. — A third quarter surge was too much for Walters State Friday night as the fell 68-62 to No. 22-ranked Wallace State-Hanceville in their opening game of the Shelton State New Year's Classic at Shelton State Community College.
The two teams battled toe-to-toe for the entire first half, with the Lady Senators (9-6) taking a 30-28 lead into the locker room thanks to a Kiera Hill layup and Quentarra Mitchell jumper that broke a tie with 38 seconds to go in the half.
The third quarter was all Lions as Wallace State outscored WSCC 22-12 in the frame. Down by eight to begin the final period, the Lady Senator and Lions traded baskets in the opening minutes. Wallace State pushed its lead to 11 on two Jiselle Woodson free throws. A three from Kyra Williams gave the Lions a 14-point lead with a little under seven to go.
With under five minutes left, Vertonia Bady sank a three, then tapped in a layup to get the score difference down to 11. With 2:34 on the board, Bady again hit a three that finally got WSCC within single digits.
A Paris Mullins steal led to a Blayre Shultz layup. Another steal, this time from Bady was once again finished off by Shultz to get the Lady Senators within three, 63-60, with two minutes to go in the game.
Unfortunately for Walters State, they could manage no more offense. Over the final 2:01 of the game, the Lady Senators converted just two free throws as Wallace State was able to build some distance before the final buzzer.
Walters State was led by Bady, who scored 13. Shults scored 11 to go with five rebounds. Mullins was two points shy of a double-double with eight points and 10 rebounds.
The Lions got 21 points for Woodson, 18 points from Kyra Williams and 14 from Imari Martin.
ROAD TO 1,000
With back-to-back losses to open the new year, Walters State women's basketball coach Dave Kragel's career wins mark remains at 998, two away from 1,000.
NEXT UP
The road gets no easier for the Lady Senators Saturday afternoon as they face host team Shelton State, the No. 11-ranked NJCAAA team in the country at 4 p.m.