KINGSPORT, Tenn. -- Throughout each of the past two seasons, the Shawnee State women's basketball program has showcased qualities that are akin to a strong defensive unit.
Friday afternoon's performance against the Faulkner (Ala.) Eagles' women's basketball program showed that those defensive traits aren't going anywhere anytime soon -- as DeWayne Burroughs' squad held Faulkner to 35.3 percent shooting (18-of-51) from the floor and forced the Eagles into 21 turnovers offensively, with Shawnee State's Markayla Holland, Jariah Steele and Cianna Gloster delivering on both ends of the floor for the Bears in SSU's 60-52 triumph over Faulkner on the opening day of 'The Show,' which is being held at the MeadowView Conference Resort and Convention Center in Kingsport, Tenn.
Defense wins
Since the beginning of the 2023-24 season, the defense for Shawnee State has been the main calling card for the Bears -- and once again, SSU was on point in that area Friday.
The Bears shot out to a 17-4 advantage after the opening quarter of play as Shawnee State held Faulkner without a field goal -- with the Eagles going 0-of-9 from the field to end the first frame and being forced into seven turnovers over the first 10 minutes of play alone by an SSU defense that was stifling from end-to-end, as the Bears' length, quickness and defensive IQ in its three-quarters-court pressure wreaked havoc on Faulkner to begin the game.
Ultimately, Shawnee State leads all River States Conference teams in a dozen different defensive categories so far to begin the 2024-25 season, including points per game allowed (44.3), opponents' field goal percentage (28.3) and blocks per game (4.5), through its opening four affairs.
Holland, Gloster keep cooking
Two of Shawnee State's premiere defensive players -- Markayla Holland and Cianna Gloster -- have not only been cooking on the defensive end, but have maintained their efficiency defensively while continuing to be go-to threats for the Bears offensively as well.
The dynamic duo were simply on another level over the first 5:40 of the nonconference matchup, as No. 12 and No. 20 combined to score each of Shawnee State's first 11 points between a mixture of tough, committed drives to the bucket, putbacks off of strong rebounds and, in Holland's case, a terrific pull-up jumper mixed in with opportunities at the charity stripe.
Both players nabbed their 11 points on extremely high efficiency by going 4-of-5 from the field and 3-of-3 from the charity stripe combined, and in the second half, Holland was arguably the best player on the floor for either side, scoring 13 points while collecting two steals and a block to boot to help close the deal in SSU's eight-point win.
Holland ultimately finished with a game-high 21 points and matched game-highs with three steals and two blocks on 7-of-13 shooting, while Gloster posted her fourth double-double in as many outings to begin the year, collecting an 11-point, 10-rebound, three-steal, one-block statline in effectively patrolling the paint again.
Steele makes her own mark
Playing with an undeniable toughness throughout the game in her own right, Shawnee State sophomore forward Jariah Steele was again productive in her own outing.
Steele, who played larger than her 5-9 frame during much of the contest, posted 10 points and five rebounds between the first and third quarters of play alone and was seemingly all over the ball over the first three quarters of the contest en route to a 13-point, seven-rebound line where the Cincinnati native grabbed all seven of her rebounds over the first 26 minutes of the game.
Additional
Along with the above trio, Sanaya Gregory set the table and played rock-solid on-ball defense en route to playing a game-high 36 minutes, while Lexi Deaver, Lauren Hawthorne and Jada Johnson combined for nine points and nine rebounds together.
A first quarter layup by Miyoshi Ellis and a second quarter three-pointer from Emily Maynard rounded out the scoring for the Bears (4-0). Faulkner fell to 4-5 on the year.
Shawnee State will face Montreat (N.C.) Saturday evening at 8:45 p.m. at the same location on the second day of 'The Show,' which will mark the women's basketball program's final day competing at the event.
