MORRISTOWN, TN — Uncomfortable; the Lady Eagles made the Lady Senators uncomfortable all night, regardless of what they tried to establish offensively.
Despite carrying a four point lead into the half, that discomfort was too much to overcome as Walters State fell to Dyersburg State 47-31, falling to 1-2 on the season.
The Lady Senators got their share of looks at the rim, but struggled to finish once they got there as they shot 24% from the field and 14% from three.
Tianna Rhodes was the only Senator in double figures, also the only Senator to shoot over 50% from the field, as she scored 12 of the 31 Walters State points on 5-9 shooting.
Sydney Neale and Alana Seals each finished in double figures for the Eagles with 13 and 12 respectively. Each scored in a limited capacity in the first half, but came out more patient in the second, further developing their actions and using more of the shot clock as they chipped away at the Walters State lead and extended their own once on top.
The Lady Eagles threw a variety of defensive looks at WS, but the most effective was their full court press.
They used a combination of full court pressure and interchangeable half court defenses to take the Senators out of their offense and force them to use more of the shot clock before getting into their offensive sets.
As a result, the Lady Senators had a number of shot clock violations in the second half and were forced into many situations where players would get the ball late in the shot clock and have no choice but to get it and go. Walters finished with only eight total assists.
The Lady Senators won the opening tip and dictated the tempo for much of the first period.
Rhodes scored five of her 12 points on the night on consecutive possessions midway through the first, leading the Senators to an 8-6 lead after one.
The Eagles sat in a zone for much of the second quarter, but WS found effectiveness with Briontay Taylor in the high post.
Taylor's touch from the midrange and ability to pass from the elbow helped the Lady Senators extend their lead to 20-16 at the half.
Coming out of the break, Dyersburg presented a more stifling defensive approach, forcing four turnovers and holding Walters to 2-10 from the field.
Coupled with their newfound fluidity and ball movement on the other end, the Lady Eagles were able to take their first lead of the game.
Jakarrah Anderson's three from the corner as the third quarter buzzer sounded gave the Lady Eagles a 33-27 advantage headed into the fourth.
The Lady Senators weren't able to get their offense going in the fourth, either. They put up only four points in the period, allowing 14 to Dyersburg in the process, leading to your final score of 47-31.
The Lady Senators have 11 days before they see action next, as they host Cleveland State Community College on Wednesday, November 29 at 5:30 p.m.
Rob Harvey
Walters State Community College
Sports Information Director
Cell: (423) 779-8880
Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu
Website: www.ws.edu/athletics