7th-ranked Lady Senators fall late to No. 12 Shelton State, 50-47

TUSCALOOSA, AL – No. 7 Walters State led by nine points at halftime on Saturday against No. 12 Shelton State but couldn't close things out, falling 50-47.

With the loss, the Lady Senators fell to 10-1 on the season. 

"Grateful for the opportunity to compete in this environment," Walters State coach Jasmin Coleman said. "Our kids battled, but games like this remind you of the discipline it takes to play against national tournament caliber teams. That's exactly why we're here in this classic; more for us to learn and grow from."  

Raegan Starks led the way for Walters State in the game with 13 points and seven rebounds, while Nyjah Gibbs added 12 points and seven rebounds. Other contributors for Walters State were Malon Smith with nine points, nine rebounds and four assists, Terryauna Griffin with eight points, Anaya Mulholland-Natt with six rebounds, Malia Wilcox with three points and Paradise Fisher with two points. 

Defensively, the Lady Senators held Shelton State to just 34.5% from the field and 23.5% from 3-point range. Walters State forced 14 turnovers and scored 19 points off of them.

Shelton State led 4-3 early in the game, but Griffin scored four quick points to give Walters State a 7-4 lead. Shelton State answered back with four points to take the lead again, and then led 10-9 with 27 seconds left in the quarter. However, Gibbs hit a free throw and Starks laid in a contested 2-pointer to give Walters State a 12-10 advantage after one. 

In the second, Wilcox opened things with a 3-pointer. Shelton State answered with a three of its own, but Starks scored and Fisher had a putback to give the Lady Senators a 19-13 lead. The two teams traded buckets from there and, at 21-17 in favor of Walters State, Starks scored again and Smith hit a three that made it 26-17. The two teams traded points in the final minute, and the Lady Senators led 27-18 at the break. 

Unfortunately for Walters State, Shelton State scored the first eight points of the third quarter to cut the lead to one. Starks stopped the bleeding with a runner in the lane, and Smith hit a three to get the lead to 32-28. However, Shelton State scored six straight to take the lead. Griffin broke the run with a basket with 14 seconds left, and it was 34-34 going to the fourth.

In the fourth, Gibbs began to take control with two straight baskets that made it 38-34. Gibbs scored again with 6:17 to go to make 40-35, but Shelton cut things to one with four straight. Starks gave the Lady Senators some cushion with a 3-pointer with 3:46 to go, but Shelton hit a three in response and then scored four more to go up 46-43 with 1:20 to go. 

Walters State cut the lead back to one with a basket by Griffin and had the ball back with 40 seconds left with a chance to take the lead. But, the Lady Senators turned the ball over, and Shelton scored to make it 48-45. Walters State scored one final time, thanks to free throws by Gibbs with 25 seconds left, which made it 48-47. Shelton State made two free throws with 11 seconds left, and Walters State's 3-pointer at the buzzer was off. 

Up Next:

Walters State will have a quick turnaround, taking on No. 2 Chipola in the Shelton State Classic on Sunday. Tip is set for 3 pm ET.