No. 12 Lady Senators close 2018 slate with lopsided win

HARRIMAN, Tenn. — The 12th-ranked Walters State Lady Senators used a 13-0 run in the first period to take a lead they would not relinquish, and it began a huge run to close the first half as the Lady Senators demolished Combine Academy, 82-24, Monday night at Roane State Community College in the final game of 2018 for WSCC.

The Lady Senators (10-2) used the 13 straight points to spark what turned into a 39-7 run to close the first half, as Walters State built a 43-11 halftime advantage and stormed to the victory.

The 13-0 run broke open a tie game in the first period, as Walters State eventually took a 21-6 lead after one. The lead grew to as much as 33 in the second period before WSCC went to the locker room at halftime leading by 32.

The Lady Senators shot 47.2 percent (17 of 36) from the field in the opening half, making 3 of 8 from 3-point distance and 6 of 6 at the free throw line in the first 20 minutes. Walters State forced 21 turnovers by Combine, including 13 steals.

Jamya Rogers led WSCC with 9 points in the opening half, while Jalayah Manning and Zacharyia Esmon both had 8 points and Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu had 7 points in the first two frames. Both Manning and Esmon notched 3 steals apiece, while Rogers, Alexis Trice and Brianna Dixon each had 2 swipes.

Combine shot just 20.8 percent (5 of 24) from the field in the half, misfiring on all five attempts from long range while making its only free toss. Rashanna Thorne had 9 points in the half.

Walters State opened the second half on a 10-2 run and led 64-19 after three before outscoring Combine 18-5 over the final 10 minutes to coast to the victory.

The Lady Senators shot 43.4 percent (33 of 76) from the field in the contest, making 6 of 17 from long range and 10 of 11 from the charity stripe. Esmon notched 15 points in the win to lead Walters State, while Mendjiadeu and Rogers both had 13 points, Manning added 10 points and Diamond Forrest tallied 9 points in the win.

WSCC held a 44-25 rebounding advantage, including 25-9 in the second half, with Mendjiadeu pulling down a team-high 9 boards.

Combine ended up shooting just 23.3 percent (10 of 43) from the floor, making 3 of 12 from long distance. Thorne had a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds, while Jazz Jones added 11 points in the defeat. The 24 points scored by Combine was the lowest point total allowed by the Lady Senators this season.

Walters State will be back in action on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, when it hosts Catawba Valley at 2 p.m. inside 'Z' Buda Gymnasium.