Wilmore, Ky. – Shawnee State women's basketball were shocked at the buzzer on Friday, falling to Indiana Wesleyan 68-67.
The Bears would fall behind 5-0 early but would immediately roar back to take a 10-5 lead in the first. Shawnee State would hold that lead for the rest of the period, keeping a 3-5 point lead most of the way. Shania Massie (JR/Greenfield, Ohio) would hit a pair of free throws late to take a 16-9 lead into the second quarter.
Laken Smith (FR/Waverly, Ohio) would hit a three pointer to start the second quarter to give SSU a 19-9 lead early. The Bears would hold the lead they took in the first for the rest of the half from there. Indiana Wesleyan would cut the lead to two points with Brittany Washington's layup, but Bailey Cummins (SO/Brooksville, Kentucky) would hit a late three to put SSU back up seven, 39-32, heading into halftime.
Shawnee State would push the lead to double digits in the third quarter, leading by as many as 15 after Bailey Cummins' floater put SSU up 58-43. The Wildcats would cut that lead to 11 by the end of the quarter, giving SSU a 58-47 advantage heading to the fourth.
A furious Indiana Wesleyan comeback in the fourth was sparked by three three-pointers from Anna Imhoff. The Wildcats would tie the game with 3:22 to go, and the game would remain tight to the end. Bailey Cummins would split a pair of bonus free throws late to put SSU up 67-65 with 18 seconds to go. After a timeout, Brittany Washington would drive baseline, and would find an open Katie Key on the right wing. Key's three would go in as time expired to give Indiana Wesleyan a 68-67 win over SSU.
Bailey Cummins led Shawnee State with 20 points. Hannah Miller (JR/Coal Grove, Ohio) added 15 for the Bears.
Anna Imhoff led all scorers with 22 points for Indiana Wesleyan. Nicole Ignasiak added 16.
The loss drops Shawnee State to 5-2 on the season. Indiana Wesleyan improves to 5-2. The all-time series between SSU and IWU is now tied 2-2.
Shawnee State will look to rebound on Saturday when they take on Taylor (Ind.) on day two of the Zweifel/Pritchett Classic at Asbury University. Tipoff is set for 12:00pm.
