Walters State closes out regular season with win over Roane State on Sophomore Night

MORRISTOWN, TN -- Walters State trailed by one at the half but used a 21-9 third quarter to blow past the visiting Roane State Lady Raiders Thursday night, 72-56.

With the win, the Lady Senators closed out the regular season at 10-3 overall and 9-3 in TCCAA play.

It was sophomore night for Walters State and after a sluggish first half, the Lady Senators second year players were sent off with a victory.

"It was sophomore night and everyone was excited about their families coming to see them, but you have to come ready to play," Walters State coach Jasmin Coleman said. "You have to be focused every night out to compete for a championship. We came out sluggish but were able to pick it up in that third quarter and it changed the game."

Walters State was led in the game by their leader all season, Blayre Shultz. The Morristown native had 15 points for the Lady Senators to go along with three assists and three rebounds.

Shultz was one of the eight sophomores that were recognized on Thursday night and noted the bond this group has and how that has caused a lot of the success this season.

"We're all really close," Shultz said. "We talk about it all the time about how we're going to miss each other so much. I've loved playing with them. We've all said that we want to end this season going to Nationals and not leave with a 'what if.' I think we're all on the same page with that."

Along with Shultz, Quentarra Mitchell and Kiera Hill both had 13 points and seven rebounds. Madison Mccoy provided a huge lift off the bench with 11 points.

With a lot on the line coming in, it was Roane State who got off to a quick start in the first quarter of Thursday's contest. While the lead went back and forth, the Lady Raiders grabbed hold of a three-point lead with a minute to go and two free throws late had them up 20-19 after one.

In the second, it was a defensive battle as both teams combined for 24 points. Mitchell kept the Lady Senators in the game with six points in the quarter while Ryann Woodley hit a big 3-pointer after Roane State had pushed their lead to seven. Walters State actually took the lead late in the quarter but a Roane State bucket with 23 seconds to go gave them a 32-31 lead at the break.

However, it was the third quarter that really changed the game and allowed the Lady Senators to take over. It started with two Hill layups and then Jaida Wiggins hit a shot that gave Walters State the lead for good.

With the score 37-35, Mccoy went on a run of her own, scoring the next four points to make it a 41-36 ball game. After a Woodley bucket, Mccoy scored two more and then a Shultz 3-pointer with two minutes to go made it 49-37. Shultz made one more 3-pointer as the clock ticked down in the third and it was 52-41 after three.

In the fourth, the scoring continued for Walters State as Mitchell scored and then Hill made two more shots to push their lead to 12. Roane State made one last push and made it 58-51 with six minutes to go but Mitchell scored inside and Shultz and Woodley made layups and it was back to a 13-point lead.

From there, the Lady Senators were never threatened again and cruised to the victory.

The win for Walters State locks up the one seed on the east side of the TCCAA tournament that begins next week. For Shultz and Walters State, they know how big of a deal that is to have home court advantage.

"It's a big deal," Shultz said. "I think we all knew what we had to come out here and do. Although we didn't play as well as we could have, we know what's coming in the future and are ready for the next couple of games and to make it to Nationals because that is our goal."

UP NEXT:

Walters State will be back in action on Tuesday night as they host Roane State once again in the first round of TCCAA tournament. Tip is set for 5:30 p.m.

"Our mindset is just that we are going to go out there and do what we have to do to secure the win," Shultz said. "Whatever is necessary, we're going to get the job done."

Rob Harvey

Walters State Community College

Sports Information Director

Cell: (423) 779-8880

Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu

Website: www.ws.edu/athletics