MORRISTOWN, TN – No. 14 Walters State led from almost start to finish on Friday afternoon in their opening game of the season, taking down No. 2 Shelton State 52-46 in the Senators Tip Off Classic. 

With the win, Walters State improves to 1-0 overall. 

"We just played together as a team," Walters State coach Jasmin Coleman said. "We've been working a lot on our defense, and it showed today. Now, we just have to move on and get ready to go again tomorrow."

It was the defensive effort for the Lady Senators that was the key to the game. The Lady Senators held Shelton State to 18-41 from the field and 4-18 from 3-point range. Walters State forced seven turnovers. 

For Coleman, the defense has been something they've focused in on for the majority of their offseason and it showed on Friday. 

"We hadn't started working on our offense until the last two weeks," Coleman said. "It's been all defense and conditioning. In the back of my mind, I was worried about them not being prepared for certain things, but when you focus on fundamentals and just doing the right thing, you'll be alright. We haven't even scratched the surface of what we can do offensively, but our defense did well."

It was also a total team effort from Walters State as no one player stood out. Instead, everyone that touched the floor contributed. 

Charlotte Carvalho and Izarria Alexander led the way for the Lady Senators with nine points each. Matty Tanner, Maiya Reed and Tyasia Reed each added eight points while Rose Morrow had four and Kailyn Farrell and Asia Barr each three. 

"That was a good job by everyone to contribute," Coleman said. "It all starts with your point guard. To be able to play the minutes that Maiya had to play today and do that and for our guards to defend those guards from Shelton State, it takes a special something. I'm just proud of them."

Shelton State opened the game up 9-2 before Walters State answered as Carvalho scored four quick points. A minute later, Tanner had a quick 5-0 run that made it 12-11 before Carvalho hit a jumper to give the Lady Senators the lead. Asia Barr hit a 3-pointer with eight seconds left to give Walters State a 16-12 advantage after one. 

In the second, Shelton State cut the lead to 18-16 before Carvalho completed an old fashioned 3-point play to make it 21-16. After Maiya Reed drilled two free throws, Tyasia Reed hit a 3-pointer to make it 26-18.

Walters State led 26-21 at halftime. 

Coming out of the locker room, Shelton State once again cut the lead to two before Alexander broke a four-minute scoreless drought with a bucket. Alexander hit another layup a minute later to make it a five-point game before a Tyasia Reed jumper increased the lead again. 

The Lady Senators ended the third quarter strong as Morrow hit a driving layup and Tyasia Reed drilled a three. It was 41-32 after three.

In the fourth, the offense struggled again, but the defense kept the lead. Shelton State had the lead down to two one final time at 41-39, but Tanner hit a much-needed 3-pointer to make it 44-39. Reed added one more layup, and the Lady Senators created multiple turnovers out of timeouts and made their free throws down the stretch to secure the win.

In the final frame, Maiya Reed, Farrell, Tyasia Reed, Tanner and Alexander each contributed with a steal on the defensive end. 

Up Next:

Walters State will be back in action on Saturday for their final game of the Senators Tip Off Classic. Walters State will take on Georgia Highlands with tip set for 12 p.m.

For Coleman, while the opening win is something to be proud of, it's now time to move on with a long season still ahead of them. 

"For me, as soon as the clock struck zero it was time to move on to tomorrow," Coleman said. "I think they realize that too, but I will make sure they realize that. We'll recover and get back to work and get ready to play tomorrow."

Rob Harvey

Walters State Community College

Sports Information Director

Cell: (423) 779-8880

Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu

Website: www.ws.edu/athletics