LUBBOCK, TX – Veteran leadership can go a long way in postseason play. No. 18 Walters State proved that on Wednesday afternoon.

Taking on No. 15 Casper in the first round of the NJCAA DI Women's Basketball Tournament, Walters State faced a 13-point deficit early in the second quarter. 

However the Lady Senators, who have five players with tournament experience on their roster, did not panic in the face of adversity and continued to play their game. 

And play their game they did. 

Walters State had the Casper lead cut to six at the half and outscored the Lady Thunderbirds 42-27 in the second half on their way to a 76-67 victory. 

The win was the first in the NJCAA DI Women's Basketball Tournament for Walters State since March 18, 2019. 

With the victory, Walters State improved to 26-4 on the season and move on to face No. 2 Eastern Florida State in the Sweet Sixteen on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET. 

Kailyn Farrell and Tyasia Reed led the way for Walters State in the game with a combined 46 points, 31 of the them coming in the second half. Farrell had 25 of those points, and grabbed 12 rebounds, while Reed hit five 3-pointers and finished with 21 points. It was Farrell's ninth double-double of the season. 

Along with Farrell and Reed, Maiya Reed had 13 points, six rebounds and five assists while Izarria Alexander had seven points, five rebounds and four assists. 

Other contributors for Walters State were Matty Tanner with six points and three rebounds, Rose Morrow with two points and Asia Barr with two points. 

As a team, the Lady Senators shot 48% from the field and 41.7% from 3-point range. The Lady Senators forced 17 turnovers and had 25 points off of them. 

It was a strong start to the game for Walters State as Farrell scored the first four points. Casper got on the board with a layup, but Tyasia Reed answered with a 3-pointer to make it 7-2. 

However, Casper settled into the game and scored six straight to take the lead before Maiya Reed hit a three to give Walters State a 10-8 advantage. Casper countered with eight of the next nine points to lead 16-11 and then finished the quarter on an 8-0 run to lead 25-14. 

In the second, it seemed like the game would get away from Walters State as Casper scored the first basket to make it a 13-point game. But the Lady Senators reeled off five straight points on a Morrow jumper and Tyasia Reed 3-pointer to make it 27-19.

While Casper would get their lead back to 12 after the 5-0 run, Walters State remained locked in as Farrell knocked in a free throw and Tanner hit a 3-pointer. A 3-pointer by Tyasia Reed and a layup by Farrell made it a 9-0 run for Walters State and cut it to 33-30. Casper eventually made it 40-34 at the break, but the Lady Senators had the momentum heading into the locker room.

Coming out of the break, Walters State picked up right where they left off with Tyasia Reed and Farrell hitting layups to make it a two-point game. Casper scored, but Farrell and Alexander scored for Walters State to tie the game at 42. 

Casper briefly retook the lead at 44-42, but Tyasia Reed knocked in a 3-pointer that gave Walters State their first lead since the first quarter. The lead would last just one possession as Casper reeled off six quick points to make it 50-45, but Tyasia Reed scored five points, with a Casper bucket sandwiched in between, to cut the lead to 52-50. The two teams traded baskets the rest of the quarter, and Casper led 58-55 heading to the fourth. 

In the fourth, the Lady Senators remained poised as Maiya Reed tied the game with a 3-pointer. Casper scored to go up 60-58, but it was Walters State's turn to take the game over as Alexander hit a free throw and Farrell converted a three-point play to give the Lady Senators a 62-60 lead. 

Casper tied it one final time at 62, but Walters State scored the next six points to lead 68-62. The Lady Senators held the lead from there, and Tyasia Reed hit a dagger three with 1:17 to go to make it 73-67. From there, the Lady Senators scored the final three points to take home the win. 

Rob Harvey

Walters State Community College

Sports Information Director

Cell: (423) 779-8880

Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu

Website: www.ws.edu/athletics