Lady Senators close strong, grab 69-65 win over Roane State

HARRIMAN, TN – Walters State overcame an eight-point fourth quarter deficit on Wednesday evening at Roane State, grabbing a 69-65 win over the Lady Raiders.

With the victory, the Lady Senators improved to 3-2 overall and 2-0 in TCCAA play.

"Of course we will take a win," Walters State coach Jasmin Coleman said. "Anaya (Mulholland-Natt) played all 40 minutes and really helped will us when we got down eight in the fourth. We didn't play very well, so we are lucky to come away with a win. This group has to grow up faster because the road is tough in the TCCAA."

After scoring just three points in the first half, Kyra Perkins led the way for Walters State with 18 points. Perkins scored nine straight in the fourth quarter.

Along with Perkins, Nyjah Gibbs had 15 big points while Raegan Starks added 13 points. Other scorers for Walters State were Terryauna Griffin with nine points, Jahliya McDonald with eight points, Morgan Williams with four points and Alexis Hood with two points. 

Things started great for Walters State as they quickly got up 7-2 thanks to baskets by Hood and Griffin and a three by Williams. Roane State cut the lead to 7-6, but Walters State rallied off a 9-0 run to go up 16-6. Griffin had four points during the run. 

The Lady Senators would continue to hold the lead for the remainder of the quarter and a basket by McDonald and a buzzer-beater by Gibbs gave Walters State a 23-12 lead after one quarter.

In the second, Perkins scored to start the quarter, but Roane State scored five straight. The Lady Senators answered with a free throw by Gibbs and three by Starks, but the Lady Raiders rallied off five more to cut it to 29-22. Once again though, Walters State closed the quarter strong with a basket by Starks and two Gibbs free throws that gave them a 33-23 lead at the break.

However, Roane State came out on fire to start the second half. Walters State led by seven with 6:16 to go in the third, but Roane State took the lead 45-43 with three minutes left in the quarter. The lead grew to 50-47, but Gibbs hit yet another buzzer-beater to make it a one-point game going to the fourth.

In the fourth, Roane State continued to push and got up 58-50 with five minutes to go. Gibbs broke the run with an and-one, and Perkins scored five straight to make it 60-58. Roane State hit a free throw to get their lead back to three, but Perkins scored four more to give Walters State a 62-61 lead. Williams then hit a free throw to make it a two-point game, and Griffin made it a four-point game with a steal and bucket. 

But Roane State wouldn't go away and tied the game at 65 with 1:30 to go. Needing a basket, the Lady Senators went downlow to Gibbs who threw in a shot while being fouled. Gibbs hit the free throw to make it 68-65, and the Lady Senators got a stop on defense. Starks hit one more free throw that made it a four-point game, and that was the final.

Up Next:

Walters State will be back in action next Wednesday, hosting Cleveland State at 5:30 p.m.