Frankfort, Ky. - Shawnee State women's basketball lost a first half lead but would mount a fourth quarter comeback to defeat Pikeville 79-74 in the Mid-South Conference Tournament semifinals.
In a classic matchup between the rivals, SSU and UPike would play a close game throughout the contest, with neither team holding a double-digit lead at any point. Shawnee State would lead for most of the first half, but could not put away Pikeville early. The Bears would hold a nine-point lead, their largest of the game, when Bailey Cummins (FR/Brooksville, Kentucky) would hit a layup to make the score 30-21. Pikeville would battle back and cut the lead to 43-39 by halftime.
UPike would go on an 11-3 run late in the third quarter to storm back to take a 59-58 lead to end the third. An epic fourth quarter would see Shawnee State trail for most of the quarter, before Jonessa Moore (SR/Cincinnati, Ohio) would give the Bears back the lead with a layup and free throw, 67-66. Devin Conley would then give Pikeville back the lead immediately, Madison Ridout (JR/Jackson, Ohio) would hit a shot to re-take the lead for Shawnee, and Conley would hit again to make it 70-69. Moore would hit two free throws 3:15 to go to give Shawnee State back the lead, which they would not relinquish. Brandie Snow (FR/Hartville, Ohio) would rip the ball away from Conley with 0.1 seconds to go, and would hit two free throws to put the game out of reach.
A balanced Shawnee State attack was led by Madison Ridout's 20 points. Jonessa Moore added a double-double, scoring 16 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Bailey Cummins had 13 and Brandie Snow chipped in with 10 to lead SSU to the win.
Kelah Eldridge had 11 points to lead Pikeville in scoring. Kandice Porter added 10 for the Bears.
With the win, Shawnee State eclipses last year's win total with a 30-2 record. Pikeville fall to 21-10 on the year.
Shawnee State will play the winner of the semifinal featuring Cumberlands (Ky.) and Lindsey Wilson in the Mid-South Conference Tournament Finals on Sunday. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:00pm.
