BECKLEY, W. Va -- The women's basketball program at Shawnee State got a career day from 6-0 forward Cianna Gloster -- as the senior ripped the West Virginia Tech Golden Bears' women's basketball program for a career-high 30 points on 13-of-23 shooting from the field while adding 14 rebounds and seven steals to boot in a convincing 79-49 victory for SSU Tuesday afternoon in a River States Conference contest that was held at the Raleigh County Convention Center in Beckley, W. Va.
Game Summary
For the contest, Shawnee State controlled matters over much of the game's final 35 minutes, ultimately shooting 27-of-58 (46.6 percent) from the field and 4-of-10 (40 percent) from three-point range while limiting West Virginia Tech to 18-of-48 shooting (37.5 percent), including a 6-of-17 clip (35.3 percent) from three-point range. SSU ultimately posted 13 assists on their 27 baskets in the contest.
Shawnee State (19-4, 10-1 River States Conference) also forced West Virginia Tech (1-21, 0-11 River States Conference) into 23 turnovers, posted a plus-10 rebounding advantage (38-28), collected a 40-16 edge in points in the paint and finished with a commanding 16-2 nod in fastbreak points.
CG keeps putting double-doubles up on repeat
Like a soundtrack repeat to a person's ears, the words Cianna Gloster and double-double may as well be one in the same to each other at this point as the senior forward from Flint, Mich. nabbed her 36th double-double in 53 career games at Shawnee State with a effort in the Bears' victory over West Virginia Tech Tuesday afternoon.
In the opening half alone, Gloster notched 15 points, 10 rebounds, a steal and a block on 6-of-12 shooting from the field to help the Bears control matters in the opening half, ultimately helping Shawnee State go on a 13-1 run to end the opening quarter.
Gloster then proceeded to dominate on both ends of the floor in the second half -- putting up 15 points, six steals and four rebounds in the final 20 minutes of action while going 7-of-11 in the second half of competition to add to her career day.
Ultimately, Gloster nabbed 30 points, 14 rebounds and seven steals. Gloster's point total bettered her previous career-high of 23 points set against Simmons (Ky.) back in November 2023, while the seven steals that the senior pickpocketed were her second-most in any game and the most this season, trailing only her nine-steal output against Midway (Ky.) on Jan. 11, 2024. SSU also scored eight points directly off of Gloster's swipes in the contest.
For the 2024-25 season, Gloster is averaging 14.7 points, 11.1 rebounds and three steals per game while shooting 56.2 percent from the field.
Maynard continues long-distance proficiency
A sophomore who continues to grow on a game-by-game basis, Shawnee State sophomore Emily Maynard had her shot working again Tuesday afternoon.
Maynard, who finished with points in Tuesday's victory, helped get SSU's offense going by scoring eight of Shawnee State's first 12 points, including connecting on a deep three-pointer from NBA range with 6:31 to go and another three-ball with 3:29 to go in the opening frame as part of the aforementioned 13-1 push to conclude the final 6:31 of the first quarter.
Maynard ultimately finished with 14 points, four rebounds and three steals while shooting 4-of-7 from three-point range -- and is now averaging eight points for the season on 37.3 percent three-point shooting.
Ellis, Gregory control pace
Setting the tempo nicely throughout the final 35 minutes of the game, Shawnee State graduate student Sanaya Gregory and SSU junior guard Miyoshi Ellis were each big in their roles setting the table.
Ultimately, Gregory and Ellis combined to posted 14 points, nine assists and four steals up top -- all while also teaming up to go a perfect 10-of-10 from the free throw line to boot. Gregory posted 10 points, four assists and two steals while Ellis added in five assists, four points and two steals to boot.
Additional
Shawnee State, who had 11 different individuals reaching the scoring column in all, also got six points and three rebounds from Lauren Hawthorne while Laken Williams and Nyah Chambers each chipped in four points with the latter adding three rebounds. Jada Johnson, Jariah Steele, Jaden Tucker and Lexi Deaver combined for the final seven points with Steele adding in four rebounds to boot to close the deal, while Addison Edmondson and Molly Howard also contributed in the Bears' triumph.
The Bears will return home to Waller Gymnasium Saturday, Feb. 8 -- when Shawnee State takes on Brescia, Ky. (14-6, 6-4 River States Conference) Saturday afternoon. Game time is set for 1 p.m.
