DYERSBURG, TN – Walters State is returning to a familiar place.
On Tuesday evening in the Region VII Women's Basketball Championship, the Lady Senators broke out to an early lead and held off a Cleveland State rally to take home the Championship, 52-44, and clinch a spot in the NJCAA DI Women's Basketball Tournament.
It will be the Lady Senators 18th National Tournament appearance and 15th since 2000. The win was the Lady Senators 21st TCCAA State Championship and 18th NJCAA Region VII Championship.
Walters State was led in the game by Kiera Hill with 10 points and 17 rebounds, recording her 13th double-double of the season. Hill was named the Region VII Tournament MVP following the game.
However, it wasn't just Hill as multiple Lady Senators stepped up when needed the most.
First, it was Maiya Reed who led the team with 12 points on 5-6 shooting. Reed has been phenomenal this season for the Lady Senators in the point guard role as a freshman, a position that head coach Jasmin Coleman openly admits is tough to play at Walters State.
Reed is averaging six points per game to go along with four rebounds and four assists, showing the versatility and effort she brings to the court for Walters State.
Next, it was Rose Morrow who continued her impressive run in the tournament with nine points, six rebounds and three steals. Having to fill in for an injured Ryann Woodley, Morrow has done her job off the bench with 32 points through the three games in the tournament.
And lastly, it was Matty Tanner who had just four points but made two of the biggest shots of the night, two free throws at the end, that sealed the Lady Senators win.
Other scorers for Walters State were Tyasia Reed with nine points, Izarria Alexander with five points and Gemariona Hollingsworth with three points.
As a team, Walters State shot 32.8% from the field and collected 48 rebounds to Cleveland State's 37.
On the defensive end, the Lady Senators held Cleveland to 30.8% from the field and 14.3% from the 3-point line.
It was just the start the Lady Senators wanted to open the game as they broke out to a 17-5 lead after the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Cleveland State played their way back into the game, out-scoring the Lady Senators 16-12. However, Walters State hung tough and a Maiya Reed bucket at the buzzer gave them a 29-21 lead at the half.
The third quarter brough Cleveland State closer as they actually tied the game at 34. Walters State answered though and ended the quarter on a 5-0 to lead 39-34 heading to the fourth.
In the fourth, both teams continued to battle as the Lady Senators held on to the slim margin. In the end, the Lady Senators, most importantly Tanner, made their free throws down the stretch to give them the victory.
Up Next:
Walters State now moves on to the NJCAA Women's Basketball DI Tournament in Lubbock, TX. The tournament is set to begin on March 16.
Rob Harvey
Walters State Community College
Sports Information Director
Cell: (423) 779-8880
Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu
Website: www.ws.edu/athletics