Portsmouth, Ohio – Shawnee State women's basketball won their eighth straight to start the season on Saturday afternoon, downing Bethel (Ind.) 81-68.
The Bears would never trail en route to the 13 point win, but would struggle to put away the Lady Pilots for most of the game. Shawnee State's largest lead would be 18 in the third quarter, but Bethel would close the gap to as few as nine points before Shawnee State closed the game with free throws in the final minute. The two teams would combine for 33 turnovers, but Shawnee State would shoot 51% from the field to keep an early advantage for the entire game.
Jonessa Moore (SR/Cincinnati, Ohio) had 16 points and eight rebounds for Shawnee State, with Madison Ridout (JR/Jackson, Ohio) adding 12 points and nine rebounds. Bailey Cummins (FR/Brooksville, Kentucky) had 13 points, while Shania Massie (SO/Greenfield, Ohio) added 11.
Madison Schrock scored a game-high 19 points for the Lady Pilots. Danielle Davis added 15 points, Savannah Bley 12, and Taylor Fielstra 10.
With the win, Shawnee State are off to an 8-0 start to the new season. The 8-0 start is the best start for the Shawnee State women since 2008-09, when the Bears would go 30-0 in the regular season before losing in the second round of the NAIA Division II National Tournament to finish 31-1.
Bethel fall to 0-8 on the year with the loss.
The Bears are back in action on Monday, November 21st when they host Brescia (Ky.). Tipoff at Waller Gymnasium is scheduled for 6:00pm.
