Jackson, Tenn. – Shawnee State women's basketball got back on track Friday afternoon, knocking off (16) Columbia (Mo.) 91-55 in their first game at the NAIA Rotary Classic in Jackson, Tennessee.
The Bears would get off to a hot start in the first quarter. After Jordan Alford's three put Columbia up 3-2, Shania Massie (JR/Greenfield, Ohio) would answer with a three of her own to put the Bears up 5-3. Shawnee State would never trail after that, and would shoot 61.1% from the field in the first quarter and out-rebound Columbia 13-6 to take a 27-16 lead after one quarter.
Shawnee State would continue to push their lead in the second quarter. Bailey Cummins (SO/Brooksville, Kentucky) would score eight points in the quarter, including a pair of threes, to help Shawnee State push their lead to 19 points. An Alford three with 58 seconds in the half would cut into the SSU lead, but the Bears would lead Columbia 43-27 at halftime.
The floodgates would open early in the second half as Shawnee State would go on an early 13-0 run to push the lead out to 26 points at 56-30. SSU would follow that run with an 11-1 run, capped by a Shania Massie three with 3:35 to go to take a 67-33 lead. Shawnee State would lead 75-37 after Hannah Miller (JR/Coal Grove, Ohio)'s three with 11 seconds to go. The Bears would cruise in the fourth quarter as Columbia would only be able to cut the lead by two points, with SSU capturing the 91-55 win.
Lydia Poe (JR/Jackson, Ohio) led all scorers with 24 points for Shawnee State. Madison Ridout (SR/Jackson, Ohio) added a double-double, scoring 14 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. Bailey Cummins added 17 points and Hannah Miller had 13. The Bears shot 62.5% from the field on Friday afternoon in the win.
Mai Nienhueser was the only Columbia player in double-digit scoring with 10 points. The Cougars shot 27.1% from the field despite taking 14 more shots than Shawnee State. SSU also out-rebounded Columbia 47-24.
The win improves Shawnee State to 6-3 on the season. Columbia falls to 4-2. The Bears now lead the all-time series 2-0.
Shawnee State returns to action on Saturday evening in day two of the NAIA Rotary Classic when they take on (7) Westmont (Calif.). Tipoff is set for 7:00pm Eastern/6:00pm Central.
