Motlow State uses fourth-quarter surge to down Lady Senators

Tullahoma, Tenn. — Before last week's loss to Chattanooga State, it had been over two calendar years between TCCAA losses for the Walters State women's basketball team. The present streak didn't last nearly as long. After getting back into the win column Saturday with a victory over Columbia State, the Lady Senators fell 80-70 to Motlow State Wednesday night thanks to a furious fourth-quarter comeback from the Bucks.

The Lady Senators (13-9, 10-2 TCCAA) led 54-51 heading into the final frame, but two layups from Tanisia Murphy put Motlow State ahead as WSCC took nearly two minutes of the fourth period to get a basket.

The two teams traded points and the lead for the next three minutes until a three from Murphy with 4:41 left in the game gave the Bucks a seven-point lead. Walters State came up dry on their next two possessions and Murphy again delivered from downtown, putting MSCC up 10 with a 3:43 to go.

Paris Mullins finally ended the drought for the Lady Senators with a three of her own, but the seven-point cushion would be plenty for Motlow State to play out the stretch and take the victory on their home court.

Mullins finished with 23 points for Walters State to go with six rebounds. Jamya Rogers, coming off the bench, scored 12.

MSCC got 22 points from Murphy, 18 from Kevanika Brown, 12 from Katie Thomas and 11 from Nya Caruthers.

NOTES

Walters State freshman guard Blayre Shultz was named the TCCAA women's player of the week for the week of Jan. 19. Shultz helped propel the Lady Senators to a 2-0 mark on the week and was a key component in coach Dave Kragel achieving his 1,000th career head coaching win Jan. 15 at Roan State.

NEXT UP

It gets no easier for the Lady Senators in TCCAA action Saturday when they welcome conference rival Dyersburg State to 'Z' Buda Gymnasium for a 2 p.m. tip-off.