After being locked in a 17-all tie with Milligan (Tenn.) after a quarter of play, the women's basketball program at Shawnee State left no doubt as to who the better team of the pair was over the last three quarters of action as the Bears blitzed the Buffaloes, 89-33, over the final three quarters of action en route to a 106-50 triumph on the final day of the Appalachian Wireless Classic in Pikeville, Ky. on Saturday morning at the East Kentucky Expo Center.
Shawnee State, who only shot 25-of-62 in its 78-60 victory over Bluefield (Va.), posted a much stronger output from the field offensively as the Bears, who put 11 of its 12 players who dressed in the scoring column, shot a stout 43-of-75 from the floor and went 7-of-14 from deep en route to stellar marks of 57.3 percent and 50 percent from the field and from three-point range, respectively, en route to the resounding victory.
In addition to their offensive efforts, the Bears, once again, were outstanding on the glass as SSU outrebound Milligan by a 48-22 margin on the glass, with 10 of the 12 players who dressed obtaining at least three rebounds or more en route to the resounding advantage.
Bailey Cummins, who posted a stout 16-point, seven-rebound, three-assist effort on Friday, was exceptional on Saturday as the senior posted a season-high 23 points to go along with seven assists and four rebounds en route to averaging 19.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and five assists over the two-game set. Her statline on Saturday was also enhanced by the fact that the Brooksville, Ky. native only committed one turnover over the course of the bout for a complete contest in all facets.
Behind Cummins, Natalie Zuchowski, Brandie Snow, and Marnae Holland came up large with strong efforts for the second day in a row. Zuchowski, in particular, continued her impressive offensive performance to start the season, as the 6-3 post from Ravenna, Ohio scored 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting in just 12 minutes of game action while also accumulating five rebounds and a block over that same span of time.
Snow -- who came into Saturday's contest averaging eight steals per game -- not six as previously reported -- was spectacular on that end of the floor to start the year once again as Snow matched her season average by amassing eight swipes again. The sophomore from Hartville, Ohio also posted a more efficient shooting performance on the second day of the Appalachian Wireless Classic, posting 15 points on just 10 shots from the field by making five of her 10 shots from the field -- including two of her three shots from deep -- and each of her three attempts from the charity stripe.
Holland, who went 5-of-8 from the field en route to another efficient night from the floor, used her energy to notch 10 points and four rebounds in Saturday's affair -- all while playing just 20 minutes of game action due to the lopsided margin.
However, the quartet's efforts weren't all that stood out on Saturday.
Evelyn Oktavec, who attempted each of her shots from deep in the contest, canned all three of her attempts from beyond the arc en route to a nine-point outing, while Anyia Pride and Sydney King combined for 17 points and eight rebounds on 7-of-14 shooting between the two in the contest as the effective forwards did the so-called little things in 17 and 15 minutes of action. Leah Wingeier posted big minutes for the second consecutive game en route to a six-point, four-rebound outing, and Abbie Kallner and Bethany Mackin were effective in extended minutes, with the pair combining for six points, six rebounds, and four assists in 12 minutes of playing time apiece.
With the victory, Shawnee State moved to 4-0 overall during the 2019-20 season. The Bears will have a week to regroup before taking on Cincinnati-Clermont on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. inside the friendly confines of Waller Gymnasium.
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