PORTSMOUTH – Women's basketball couldn't overcome a sluggish first half as it fell Saturday to Cumberland University, 63-58. Not only was the lost the first of the year in what was battle of undefeated teams, the loss was the first at home for the Bears since January 6, 2011 against Walsh University when the Bears fell, 69-67. SSU had won its last 20 home games coming into today's game.
The loss also marked the first Mid-South loss at home for the Bears since joining the MSC for the 2010-11 season. The Bears had won their first 18 MSC home games since joining the conference. Their opponents, Cumberland (6-0, 2-0 MSC) remained unbeaten in the process.
Simply put, the Bears just could not ever completely recover from the first half when they were outscored 35-20. In the opening 20 minutes, SSU shot just 3-of-23 from the floor as no Bears' player made more than one field goal during the opening half. Helping the Bears keep the game from getting completely away from them was their ability to get to the free throw line. The Bears made 14-of-16 free throw attempts in the opening half.
The Bears would make their move in the second half. They held Cumberland to just 24-percent from the field, while shooting 35-percent in their offensive end. SSU also kept up the strong performance at the free throw line as Alex Pohl was a perfect 14-for-14 from the line, while Schera Sampson finished 9-of-12 from the charity stripe for the game.
Shawnee State cut the Bulldogs' lead to nine at the 16:42 mark of the second half. After Cumberland hit a jumper on its next possession to go up 11, at 41-30, the Bears went on a 9-0 run to cut the lead back to two and a one possession game after a pair of free throws by Pohl. Kara Long helped to spark that run with four of her six points coming in that stretch as the score stood at 41-39 with exactly 13:00 to play.
The Bulldogs hit a three-pointer on their next trip down the court and held a two possession advantage for a majority of the next seven minutes. After constantly fighting an uphill battle during the second half, it looked like the Bears persistence was going to pay off as a jumper from Pohl made it a one point game, 59-58, with exactly one minute left on the clock.
Cumberland would answer right back with a jump shot of their own to make the score 61-58 with 45 seconds to play. However, the Bears would have a chance at the tie. However, the Bulldogs would steal the possession back before turning the ball over at the other end and giving the Bears a second shot with 21 second left.
Alannah Sheets would take the potential game-tying three with six seconds left, but her shot banged off the iron and the Bears were forced to foul. Cumberland would make both of their free throw attempts from the other end to put the finishing touches on their victory.
Three players finished with double-figure scoring totals for the Bears. Pohl finished with a game-high 22 points and 20 rebounds for the double-double. Sampson also added a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Sheets finished the game with 11 points. Cumberland used a balanced scoring attack in their victory as five different players scored at least eight points.
The Bears will wrap up the three-game home stretch with another conference game this Tuesday vs. Rio Grande. The women's game will begin at 6 p.m. with the men following at 8 p.m.
