Friday, March 1
Cleveland, Tenn.
2:00 ET: #8 Volunteer State Lady Pioneers 78- #9 Dyersburg State Lady Eagles 71
The opening game of the tournament started on a tight note as Vol State won 78-71.
After the Lady Pioneers went on a 5-0 run to start the game and 16-13 to end the first quarter, Dyersburg State answered with a 7-0 run of their own in the last three minutes of the second quarter, led by Lily Sarra's two three-point makes. The Lady Eagles took their first lead of the game at the 2:13 mark and a 37-32 halftime lead. They lead 60-56 going into the final quarter of play.
Vol State outscored the Lady Eagles in the final frame and took a 72-71 lead within the last two minutes of the game off of Aliyah Miller's two made free throws. Tatiyana Lavender, who scored 15 points in the game, then made a three point basket to put the Lady Pioneers up 75-71. They did not look back and lead the rest of the way.
Dyersburg's Tasia Bland lead all scorers with 22 points on 67 percent (10-for-15) shooting.
Leaders:
DSCC: Points, Tasia Bland, 22; Assists, Joslyn Basemore 6; Tasia Bland, 12
VSCC: Points, Shalaya Armstead, 15; Assists, Aliyah Miller, 8; Shalaya Armstead, 9
4:00 ET: #8 Roane State 85- #9 Volunteer State 83
Roane State advances to Sunday's game against #1 Walters State at 2:00 ET after winning 85-83.
The two schools played cat-and-mouse in a back-and-forth contest that lasted for the entire game. They were tied 14-14 with 11:05 left in the first half, but then Roane State went on a 9-0 run to pull away to a 42-35 halftime lead.
The Pioneers tied the game 58-58 at the 11:58 mark at the second half. They tied the game again at 70-70 with 4:36 left to go in the game.
It came down to the wire to the final moments as James Jordan made a three-pointer with 18 seconds to go to give Roane State a 83-82 lead after Jaden Chumley made two free throws to break the 80-80 tie for Vol State. The Raiders were able to hang on with two crucial free throws made with 5.6 seconds to go.
Jordan also lead all scorers with 29 points. He also grabbed two boards.
Leaders:
VSCC: Points: Justin Goodson, 28; Assists: Tim Goodrich, 5; Rebounds: Jaden Chumley, 7
RSCC: Points: James Jordan 29; Assists, Austin Brooks, 3; Rebounds, Austin Brooks, 8
6:00 ET- #7 Cleveland State 76- #10 Jackson State 59
Cleveland State advances to face #2 Motlow State on Sunday at 6:00 ET in a game in which they never trailed and won 76-57.
Cleveland State got out to a 5-0 lead to start the game and eventually grew their lead to 18-9 with 8:42 left to go in the first half. They led 26-22 going into the locker room. Their largest lead in the game was 16, which they secured with 26 seconds left to go in the game.
Jackson's State Famous Jones had an exceptional game, posting 18 points, leading both sides in scoring. Delaino Walker led the scoring for the Cougars, scoring 16.
Leaders:
JSCC: Points: Famous Jones, 22; Assists: Brandon Odell and Eric Boyd, 2; Rebounds: Brandon Odell, 9
CSCC: Points: Delaino Walker, 16; Assists: Jonathan King 5; Rebounds: Delaino Walker, 8
