McKenzie, Tenn. – Shawnee State women's basketball were victorious in the first game of the Mid-South Conference/Southern States Athletic Conference Challenge on Friday night, topping (RV) Martin Methodist (Tenn.) 71-42.
A low-scoring first quarter would see Shawnee State struggle to get the offense going. Neither team would shoot well as the quarter would see three ties and two lead changes early. Madison Ridout (SR/Jackson, Ohio) would hit a free throw with 1:25 to go in the quarter to put Shawnee State up 11-10, a lead they would not relinquish. The Bears would get a layup from Laken Smith (FR/Waverly, Ohio) and a pair of Hannah Miller (JR/Coal Grove, Ohio) free throws to lead 15-10 after one quarter.
The Bears would begin putting distance between themselves and Martin Methodist in the second quarter. SSU would continue their end of first quarter run to nine points, going up 19-10 early in the second. Shawnee State would also lock down defensively, allowing only three points in the second quarter. Shania Massie (JR/Greenfield, Ohio) would score five points in the quarter to help SSU get up 31-13 at halftime.
The third quarter would again be all Shawnee State as the Bears pushed the lead out to 25 points. Laken Smith would break out in the second quarter for seven points, helping SSU build their lead. The Bears would continue to mount pressure on Martin Methodist defensively, holding the RedHawks to 10 points in the quarter.
Quarter four would be much more high-paced as Martin Methodist strived to get back into the game. However, Shawnee State would remain in control, never giving the RedHawks and opening to rally. Hannah Miller would hit shots down the stretch to keep MMC at bay and give Shawnee State a 71-42 victory.
Miller would lead all scorers with 19 points for SSU. Madison Ridout had 14 and Laken Smith would add 13.
Treasure Hunt led Martin Methodist with 10 points.
The win improves Shawnee State's record to 4-0 on the young season. Martin Methodist falls to 2-1. SSU now leads the all-time series 4-0 after Thursday night's game.
Shawnee State returns to action on Friday, November 10 in day two of the MSC/SSAC Challenge, taking on hosts (11) Bethel (Tenn.). Tipoff is set for 9:00pm Eastern.
