Portsmouth, Ohio – Shawnee State women's basketball ended 2017 by winning their eight straight on Saturday afternoon, defeating Brescia (Ky.) 84-39 at Waller Gymnasium.
The start of Saturday's game, originally scheduled for 2:00pm, was delayed over one hour due to inclement weather. Brescia were late to arrive due to traffic on I-64, but did arrive safely for the game.
Madison Ridout (SR/Jackson, Ohio) would open the scoring when the game finally did tip off. Kelsey Kirkpatrick would answer with a three to put Brescia up 3-2, but the Bears would go on a 14-0 run capped by a floater from Bailey Cummins (SO/Brooksville, Kentucky) to take an early 16-3 lead. SSU would cruise through the rest of the quarter, leading 17-6 to end the period after Princess Holloway tipped in at the buzzer for Brescia.
The Bears would continue to put pressure on Brescia despite sloppy play on both sides. The two teams combined for 16 first half turnovers. SSU's defense would be the story of the half as the Bears held Brescia to 12 points in the half, with the Bearcats shooting 4-32 from the field, 12.5% from the field. Despite the sloppiness, Shawnee State would go on an 11-2 run to start the second quarter and would lead 35-12 at halftime.
The second half would start more promising as both teams would trade buckets early in the period. SSU would go on a 9-0 run capped by a Ridout layup to go up 30 points, and a Laken Smith (FR/Waverly, Ohio) bucket to end the third period would put Shawnee State up 64-30. Shawnee State would lock down defensively in the fourth quarter, outscoring Brescia 20-9 to bring home the 84-39 win.
Madison Ridout led Shawnee State with 19 points on the afternoon. Laken Smith would have a big day off the bench, recording a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Bailey Cummins added 15, and Ashton Lovely (JR/Jamestown, Ohio) and Hannah Miller (JR/Coal Grove, Ohio) each had 11. The Bears shot 61.3% from the floor in the second half and forced 20 Brescia turnovers in the win.
Kelsey Kirkpatrick had 15 points to lead Brescia. Le'Onzerrae Grubbs added 11 for the Bearcats.
The win improves Shawnee State to 13-3 on the season. Brescia falls to 5-9 on the year. The Bears now lead the all-time series 6-1.
Shawnee State women's basketball are back in action on Saturday, January 6 when they kick off the new year against Mid-South Conference rival Pikeville. Tip-off is set for 2:00pm from the East Kentucky Exposition Center.
