PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (Women's Basketball) – In a tight contest that featured 3 ties, the Bears held off a late run to defeat Kentucky Christian University, 64-59, on Saturday afternoon at Frank & Janis Waller Gymnasium.

Ali Zieverink (SR/West Chester, Ohio) had another phenomenal performance, contributing 32 points and 10 rebounds. Zieverink's play down low is what helped Shawnee State walk away in this one with a victory.

Back-to-back lay-ups by Zieverink and a triple from Madison Ridout (SO/Jackson, Ohio) put the Bears in the drvier's seat early. SSU increased their lead to 5 with 7:41 remaining in the first quarter, but the visitors would surge back, leading momentarily. Zieverink hit two free-throws to end the first quarter, putting Shawnee State up by a score of 20-18.

Early in the second, the Bears went on a 10-2 run to stretch their lead to 30-20 with 2:54 remaining before the half. Shawnee State ended the half leading, 36-24, after Lydia Poe (FR/Jackson, Ohio) converted on two from the foul line.

The Bears opened the third on a 6-2 run. Ashton Lovely (FR/Jamestown, Ohio)'s jumper at the six minute mark had the Bears leading by 16, 44-28. The Bears hovered around an 11 point lead for a majority of the third quarter, when the buzzer sounded, SSU held a lead of 51-40.

Play tightened in the final moments of this contest, KCU was able to reduce the Bears lead to four with 2:24 remaining in the game. With 1:31 remaining Jen Arnzen (JR/Portsmouth, Ohio) sank a three to put the game away. When the final buzzer sounded, Shawnee State walked away with a 64-59 win.

Ridout finished the game with 13 points and eight rebounds. With a Campbellsville loss on Thursday at Lindsey Wilson, the Bears clinched the MSC regular season title with an overall record of 24-5 and 11-2 in MSC play.

Shawnee State's final regular season game will be next Thursday against Georgetown College. Tip-off is slated for 6 p.m. at Davis-Reid Alumni Gym.