CHATTANOOGA, TN -- Blayre Shultz was on fire Saturday afternoon, scoring a career-high 29 points, as Walters State upset No. 11 Chattanooga State, 66-52.
With the win, Walters State moves to 3-1 on the season and 2-1 in conference play.
Playing 37 minutes, Shultz was 7-17 from the field, draining five 3-pointers, while going 10-13 from the free-throw line as well. Shultz also had five rebounds. The 29 points surpassed her previous career high of 27 points, which she had Feb. 8, 2020 against Volunteer State.
Along with Shultz, Quentarra Mitchell had 16 points and six rebounds while Madison Mccoy added 10 points. Kiera Hill led the team with nine rebounds.
It was an even start to the game for both sides as Walters State had the largest lead of the quarter at 14-12 when Shultz hit a 3-pointer to give the Lady Senators the lead. Chattanooga State would tie the game right back up, but Mitchell hit a jump shot with a minute to go that gave the Lady Senators a 16-14 lead after one.
Much like the first quarter, neither team was able to pull away in the second. The Lady Tigers tried to when they got up 24-17, but Shultz scored five straight to make it a two-point game. Mitchell scored the last bucket of the half for Walters State to make it 26-24, but Chatt State answered and led by four at the break.
As they have been good at doing all season, the Lady Senators came out strong in the third quarter. A Ryann Woodley layup and five straight points from Shultz gave Walters State a 31-30 lead to start the half, and they would never trail again. Chatt State managed to tie the game up multiple times in the third, but
Walters State was always there to answer right back. With the score knotted at 42, the Lady Senators ended the quarter on a 6-0 run and led 48-42.
Trying to prevent the Lady Tigers from getting back in the game like they did in the two teams' first meeting, Walters State lived at the free-throw line to start the fourth and increased their lead. When Mccoy hit a layup with 4:22 to go, the lead was 10. From there, The Lady Senators maintained their double-digit lead and cruised to the road victory. In the fourth quarter, Walters State was 12-15 from the free-throw line.
UP NEXT:
Walters State will be back in action on Wednesday at home, taking on Motlow State. Tip is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
In the two teams' first meeting this season, the Lady Senators were victorious 90-47.
Rob Harvey
Walters State Community College
Sports Information Director
Cell: (423) 779-8880
Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu
Website: www.ws.edu/athletics