Pikeville, Ky. – Shawnee State women's basketball rode a hot start and finish to open Mid-South Conference play with a win, blowing out Pikeville (Ky.) 83-58 at the East Kentucky Expo Center.
The Bears would start the game on a 14-0 run, led by eight early points from Ashton Lovely (JR/Jamestown, Ohio), including two threes. SSU would shoot 61.1% from the field in the first quarter, and the Bears' tight defense forced Pikeville to 26.7% from the field and holding UPike without a three in the period. SSU would extend their lead to as many as 20, and would lead 28-10 after one period.
Pikeville would start to chip away at the lead in the second quarter, starting the period on a 6-0 run. Kayla Mullins' three with 2:09 to halftime would cut the Shawnee State lead to 32-24, but the Bears would respond late. SSU would go on an 8-0 run to end the half, capped by Madison Ridout (SR/Jackson, Ohio)'s layup to carry a 40-24 lead into the break.
Pikeville would again test Shawnee State in the third quarter, starting a 12-1 run with 8:19 left to cut the lead to eight again at 46-38, but again the Bears would respond. Laken Smith (FR/Waverly, Ohio) would quickly extend the lead back to double-digits, and Lovely would hit a three to make the lead 54-41. SSU would take a 56-45 lead into the fourth quarter despite the Pikeville run.
Shawnee State would not waste the fourth quarter and would put Pikeville away early. An 8-0 run capped by an Ashton Lovely three with 5:59 to go would put SSU up 66-49, and the Bears would continue to pull away. Bailey Cummins (SO/Brooksville, Kentucky)' late layup would give Shawnee State the 83-58 final advantage.
Ashton Lovely had 25 points to lead Shawnee State. Hannah Miller (JR/Coal Grove, Ohio) added 17, Madison Ridout had 14, Laken Smith had 13 and Bailey Cummins chipped in with 11.
Kayla Mullins had 16 points to lead Pikeville. Elisabeth had a double-double, scoring 12 points and grabbing 14 rebounds, Rachel Lee had 12 and Jamie Castle added 11.
The win improves Shawnee State to 14-3 on the season, and to 1-0 in the Mid-South Conference. Pikeville falls to 8-8 and 0-1 in the league. Shawnee State now lead the all-time series 31-4, and now have won 16 in a row.
Shawnee State women's basketball return to action on Thursday, January 11 when they host (12) Lindsey Wilson in a match-up of last season's Mid-South Conference Co-Champions. Tip-off is set for 6:00pm.
