Wallace State’s women’s basketball team closes season with 23-8 record after OT loss
HANCEVILLE, ALA. – Wallace State’s women’s basketball team had its season end in overtime in the Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) semifinals on Thursday, falling 79-77 to Chattahoochee Valley CC at Lawson State.
Wallace State battled back from multiple deficits to force overtime, including facing a 65-58 gap with only 1:45 to go in regulation. The Lady Lions closed the fourth quarter on an 8-1 run and forced the extra period after Channing Gafford’s 3-pointer rattled in right before time expired.
Chattahoochee Valley, the South Division’s top seed, had the final answer in overtime. Zikiria Williams’ steal and subsequent layup with less than a minute remaining was the eventual game-winner.
Joy Sadler narrowly missed a 3-point try on Wallace State’s next possession, and the Lady Pirates held on.
Wallace State closes the season with a 23-8 record after earning an ACCC Tournament bye under interim coach Jessica McBrayer.
Gabby Hill led the Lady Lions in the loss with 16 points, including six in overtime. Sadler finished with 13 points and seven rebounds and Gafford and Jada Golden each scored 10 points off the bench.
Prior to the tournament, Sadler was named to the ACCC All-Region 22 first team for her regular-season work. The sophomore from Gardendale shined this season, averaging 13.2 points and 8.4 rebounds. She registered nine double-doubles, shot 42 percent from the field drained 16 3-pointers.
Hill was named to All-ACCC North Division second team after averaging 12.1 points per game and leading the team in 3-pointers made (51).
It was the final game for eight Wallace State sophomores: Sadler, Hill, Sydney Powell, Karlie Hudson, Marquise Cobbs, Tykeah Rogers, Alexis Osteen and Ahzaila Wright.
Thursday’s game was tight throughout, featuring 17 lead changes and 14 ties. Neither team enjoyed more than a nine-point lead.
Chattahoochee Valley led 20-12 at the end of the first quarter. Wallace State’s defense hunkered down in the second quarter, limiting the Lady Pirates to only four points. The Lady Lions maintained a 26-24 edge at the break after Hill drained a 3-pointer before the quarter expired.
The teams consistently traded baskets in the third quarter with neither team leading by more than three points.
Hill again hit a trey to close the quarter, giving Wallace State a 45-43 after three stanzas.
CVCC earned its biggest lead in the second half with 1:45 remaining before Wallace State chipped away again. Gafford hit a pair of free throws, and Hill connected on another three-pointer to make it 65-63. After the Lady Pirates hit one of two free throws, Gafford sent the game to overtime with her 3.
Wallace State’s biggest lead of the game came in overtime after Hill scored six consecutive points.
Cobbs scored six points for Wallace State and DeMaurea Moore added four points and eight rebounds.
Wallace State’s women surpassed the 20-win plateau for the sixth time in seven seasons.
For more information about Wallace State athletics, visit www.athletics.wallacestate.edu.
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Russell Moore
Wallace State Community College
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