This past Saturday the Shawnee State Bears Women's basketball team opened up their season as they traveled to Michigan to play the Saint of Aquinas College. SSU fell by one point to AC. After a short, two-hour trip Shawnee traveled to Grand Rapids, MI, to play against the Blue Devils of Lawrence Tech. The Bears handled the Blue Devils, claiming the first win of the season.
SSU vs AC
After a very active first quarter, the Bears found a four-point lead. SSU struggled from the field as they shot 27%, 0-6 from behind the line, but went a perfect 8-8 from the free-throw line, which helped them gain their lead. Cianna Gloster was a rebounding machine as she grabbed seven boards; four offensive and three defensive. The second quarter saw much of the same control from Shawnee as they continued to dominate the boards, and they tallied another 12 rebounds. With all of the rebounds, it helped the Bears hold the seven-point lead going into the half. The third quarter saw the Bears fail to get to the free-throw line while struggling to find the bottom of the net. Markayla Holland fought to keep SSU lead scoring eight points and she did just that as they were ahead four points. With the final ten minutes ahead of them, the two teams brought their best. Shawnee once again struggled to find the bottom of the net as they only tallied 10 points. Cianna Gloster had an amazing opening day as she tallied her first double-double of the season, she grabbed 20 rebounds and had 17 points. The Shawnee State Bears fell 61-62 to the Saints.
SSU vs LT
Monday evening, the Bears were back in action as they matched up against the Blue Devils of Lawrence Tech. Markayla Holland and Jariah Steele led the way for the Bears each scoring five points, Holland nabbed three steals on top of that. Freshman, Alexia Deaver, took control of the game in the second quarter as she scored ten points, while also having four assists. With the clock running out in the first half, the Bears found themselves up 42-39. The third period saw Shawnee State expand their lead to eight points, all of the Bears starters found the bottom of the net in the quarter. SSU continued to command the game and finished off the last quarter, claiming the first victory of the season 73-63. Cianna Gloster, once again had another big game for the Bears as she had another double-double, 12 points, and 17 rebounds, in the victory.
The Women's basketball program will be back in action this Thursday, November 2, the the Bears welcome the Red Hawks of Miami Hamilton. The game will start at 6 p.m. in Waller Gymnasium.
