MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Blayre Shultz put in 20 points as Walters State downed TCCAA rival Southwest Tennessee Saturday, 68-61, completing a season sweep of the Lady Saluqqis.
The Lady Senators defeated SWCC 74-48 back on Jan. 11 at 'Z' Buda Gymnasium. Saturday's game was considerably closer as Southwest Tennessee charged out to a 19-15 advantage in the opening quarter.
WSCC's defense clamped down in the second period, but still entered the locker room down 30-29.
That didn't last long in the third as a layup from Paris Mullins gave the Lady Senators the lead less than a minute in. Walters State kept control for the next four minutes until the Lady Saluqis tied the game 35-35 on two Taliyah Brown free throws.
The teams traded leads and ties for the rest of the period, with WSCC holding a 45-44 advantage at the final break.
The final period played out much like the end of the third, with the game seesawing back and forth with neither team able to build out much of a lead. A layup from Shultz put Walters State ahead 55-54 with 4:13 to go. They were finally able to produce a little distance as Mullins banked in a layup and then a jumper with a little over three minutes on the clock.
With a little over a minute remaining, a Mullins layup have WSCC a 9-point lead and forced Southwest to send them to the foul line, allowing the Lady Senators to finish out the game at the stripe.
Mullins finished with 17 points and nine rebounds for Walters State. Quentarra Mitchell knocked down 11 boards in the game.
Southwest got 12 points from Derinisha Taylor and 11 from Jaelyn Royan.
NEXT UP
It's the final home game for the Lady Senators at 'Z' Buda Gymnasium as the team celebrates "Sophomore Night" Wednesday when they welcome TCCAA rival Roane State to the floor. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.