REGION VII CHAMPS: Lady Senators clinch 19th trip to NJCAA National Tournament

HARRIMAN, TN – Jasmin Coleman and No. 19 Walters State began a journey back in June. 

On Tuesday afternoon, that journey reached its destination.

Taking on Chattanooga State in the TCCAA/Region VII Championship, the Lady Senators hit timely shot after timely shot. The result? A 62-52 victory that clinched their 19th trip in school history to the NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament. It is Coleman's third straight appearance as head coach. 

"We started this thing in June, going to a showcase in Georgia," Coleman said. "We practiced for about an hour and hit the road to build some chemistry. Even though it was for two days, it proved to be pivotal now. I'm just blessed.

"Credit Chatt (State), they did a great job tonight. I'm just extremely proud of our team and the way we have fought all season long." 

One of those timely shots by the Lady Senators came in the third quarter off the hands of Tyasia Reed. Leading for the entire game, the Lady Senators saw their lead dip to two late in the third. However, Reed was not fazed, drilling a 3-pointer in the corner to get the lead back to five and stealing all momentum. 

Reed finished the game with 19 points and eight rebounds, knocking down three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to ice the game. 

While Reed was one of the stars in Tuesday's game, it's been a team effort all tournament that got them to the championship. 

"Today, it was Tyasia," Coleman said. "Yesterday, it was Tyasia, Matty and Asia that hit big shots. Ty is in the gym all the time. Asia is in the gym, Matty is in the gym. It's just the toughness they have had all year, battling through adversity and injuries."

Along with Reed on Tuesday, Kailyn Farrell was the leading scorer with 20 points and nine rebounds. Farrell scored Walters State's first nine points of the game and was off from there.

Throughout the tournament, Farrell finished with 49 points and 24 rebounds. For her efforts, she was named the Tournament MVP.

"I think I have been the toughest on Kailyn because she wasn't with the program for the past two years, I've just had her for this one year," Coleman said. "The changes she's made from August to now have been amazing. She hasn't backed down one second and rises to the occasion. She did that this entire tournament. That's what sophomores and veterans do in that situation."

Other contributors in the game for the Lady Senators were Asia Barr with seven points, Izarria Alexander with seven points, six rebounds and five assists, Rose Morrow with four points, four rebounds and three assists, Matty Tanner with three points, three assists and three rebounds and Maiya Reed with two points and four assists. 

As a team, the Lady Senators assisted on 19-of-23 made baskets and pulled down 35 rebounds. Defensively, the Lady Senators held Chatt State to 36% from the field and forced 15 turnovers. 

The two teams traded buckets to start the game before Farrell scored four in-a-row to put the Lady Senators up 6-2. Chatt State scored, but Farrell scored three more to up the lead to five. From there, the Lady Senators continued to add to their lead as Tanner hit a 3-pointer and Farrell scored three more. A Tyasia Reed three with 38 seconds to go made it 20-11 after one. 

In the second, the Lady Senators managed just 11 points, four coming from Morrow, but were strong on the defensive end. Walters State led 31-23 at the half. 

Chatt State came out of the locker room on fire to start the third, drilling two 3-pointers to make it a 31-29 game. Alexander scored to stop the run before Farrell made a layup to make it 35-29. The two teams traded buckets until the Lady Tigers scored four straight to make it 37-35. However, Tyasia Reed drilled her corner three. From there, Farrell scored, Maiya Reed hit a free throw and Barr scored to make it 45-35. It was 45-37 heading to the fourth.

In the fourth, Chatt State scored to start, but Tyasia Reed drilled another three to make it 48-39. Chatt State rallied off four quick points to cut it to five, but Tyasia Reed answered with another 3-pointer. 

The Lady Senators held a seven-point lead after the three until Chatt scored to make it a five-point game. But this time it was Barr to hit a clutch three and all but put the game away. After Barr's 3-pointer, Tyasia Reed hit one more three with a minute left to seal it. 

Up Next:

Walters State will now head to Lubbock, TX for the NJCAA DI Women's Basketball Tournament. The Tournament tips on March 22, with the selection show set for Sunday, March 12 at 8 p.m. on the NJCAA Network. 

For Coleman, their goal since the start of the season is still in play and still what the Lady Senators strive for. 

"Our goal since June is to make an Elite Eight," Coleman said. "That goal hasn't changed. We're going to celebrate today and go back to work tomorrow." 

Rob Harvey

Walters State Community College

Sports Information Director

Cell: (423) 779-8880

Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu

Website: www.ws.edu/athletics