MORRISTOWN, TN – It may be just days away from the New Year, but Walters State saved some of their best basketball for the end of 2023.
Taking on Georgia Highlands Saturday afternoon, the Lady Senators shrugged off a sluggish first half and exploded on both ends of the floor in the final 20 minutes on their way to a 67-35 win.
With the win, Walters State improved to 5-5 on the season.
The Lady Senators led by seven at the half but gave up just six points in the third and six in the fourth, scoring 37 of their own to take a convincing victory.
"I thought we played really, really well defensively in the second half," Walters State head coach Jasmin Coleman said. "Asia (Barr) did a great job of creating steals and turnovers that led to easy baskets. Kristyna Boyd played really hard in the post, as well. Everyone did their job in the second half, and it was good to see us do that coming off the Christmas break."
Leading the way for Walters State in the game were Kyra Perkins and Kristyna Boyd with 17 points each. Asia Barr was right behind them with 16 points.
Other scorers for Walters State Tianna Rhodes with six points, Briontanay Marshall with five points, Janae Charles with four points and Emmanuella Amaefula with two points.
It was a slow start for Walters State in the game as Georgia Highlands scored the first eight points. Charles finally got Walters State on the board with back-to-back buckets and, after a Georgia Highlands basket, Barr hit back-to-back three's that tied the game at 10.
The quarter ended in style for Walters State as Perkins knocked in a three and Boyd hit a free throw. Walters State led after one, 14-10.
In the second, Boyd and Perkins scored early to get the lead to seven. Georgia Highlands would keep the lead around there for the remainder of the quarter, and it was 30-23 at the half. Perkins had six points in the second, while Boyd added five.
The game changed in the third quarter in favor of Walters State. After trading baskets to start that made it 32-27, Walters State took off as Boyd and Barr each scored. Georgia Highlands scored one final time in the quarter, but Walters State went on an 11-0 run in the final five minutes to lead, 47-29. During the run, Boyd had six points.
The fourth quarter was much of the same for Walters State as they continued the run by scoring the first six points of the quarter. Barr had five of those points to give Walters State a 53-29 advantage.
Georgia Highlands finally ended the 17-0 run with two free throws, but Walters State scored 11 more after. Rhodes had five points during the run. From there, the Lady Senators cruised to the win.
Up Next:
Walters State will be back in action next Saturday, January 6. The Lady Senators will host Georgia Community Christian College at 2 p.m.
Rob Harvey
Walters State Community College
Sports Information Director
Cell: (423) 779-8880
Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu
Website: www.ws.edu/athletics