Wallace State’s women beat Alabama Southern behind Smith’s 16 points, extending winning streak to six games
HANCEVILLE – Morgan Smith scored 13 of her game-high 16 points in the second half, Ashley Rodgers added 11 off the bench and Wallace State’s women’s basketball team won its sixth game in a row Wednesday, beating Alabama Southern 70-61 at Tom Drake Coliseum.
Unlike their previous five wins during the streak, the Lady Lions had to fight harder down the stretch to put away Alabama Southern.
“I told our team we didn’t need to stub our toe going into Christmas. We struggled early, but then took a deep breath, got things together and ran it on out. We needed a game like this because I think we were getting a little borderline cocky and maybe thinking we were better than what we really were,” said Wallace State coach Ron Burdette, whose team improved to 10-2 on the season. “We never quit and never panicked and that’s a great sign. I’m real pleased to be where we’re at going into Christmas. We’re going to take a break for Christmas, come back on Dec. 27, and get ready to go again.”
After trailing by seven points in first half, Wallace State grabbed control of a slim 22-20 advantage on a pair of made free throws by Ashley Rodgers with 7:24 remaining before intermission. Morgan Pearson, Rodgers and Smith then drained 3-pointers on consecutive possessions for Wallace State, increasing its lead to 31-24. The Lady Lions led 39-28 at the break.
Less than five minutes into the second half, Wallace State widened its lead to as many as 17 points. Alabama Southern didn’t go down quietly though. The Lady Eagles battled back over the next seven minutes and trimmed their deficit to as little as six points on two instances.
Wallace State answered with the last blow, limiting Alabama Southern to only three points over the final 4:06 of the game.
After scoring only four points apiece in her last two games, Smith was huge for the Lady Lions in the second half, helping Wallace State hold off multiple Alabama Southern runs with timely buckets of her own. Smith, a freshman from Cullman, also collected six rebounds.
“Once again we had someone new step up and give us big minutes. Some of our women who have been playing well didn’t have a great game tonight (Wednesday), and that’s going to happen,” Burdette said. “The thing is our team pulls for each other. No one pouts or mopes, which is huge for us in a game like this.
“That’s a good basketball team we beat. I’m certain we’ll run across them again during the state tournament.”
Jasmine Coleman finished with eight points and 14 rebounds for the Lady Lions, barely missing out on her fifth double-double of the season. Pearson contributed nine points off the bench and Jaylan Snowden scored five points and dished out four assists.
Shannon Watts led Alabama Southern with 14 points, while Jasmine McCants had 11.
Wallace State is idle until Dec. 30, when it will head to Memphis and play Arkansas Baptist College and Southwest Tennessee in consecutive days.
For more information about Wallace State athletics, visit wallacestate.edu.
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Russell Moore
Staff Writer
Wallace State Community College
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Visit us online at www.wallacestate.edu