Ziara Thompson Hits Game Winner as Cougars Comeback in Fourth Quarter

Ziara Thompson put in the game winner completing a Cougars 11-point fourth quarter comeback against Volunteer State.

With seven seconds remaining Thompson put in the go-ahead bucket after stealing a rebound away from the Pioneers Tishana Moore for the 51-50 win.

"Resiliency at its finest!" head coach Ayana McWilliams said. "These girls fought to the end, and I couldn't be more proud!"

The game was tied at halftime, then Cleveland State (3-7, 2-5) struggled in the third quarter against Volunteer State (3-11, 1-5).

After storming back to bring the game within a point, Mar'Nazha Houston fouled out with about thirty seconds remaining in the game leaving the Cougars with four players.

Houston, last week's NJCAA player of the week and the conference's leading rebounder, put together a double-double scoring a game high 19 points while bringing down 25 rebounds.

Thompson put in 16 points for Cleveland State. For the Pioneers, Ella Disney led the way with 14 points while Kendall Myree put together her own double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds.

The win was the Cougars third in a row after starting the season with seven straight losses, and their first home conference win of the season.

Next up Cleveland State travels to Snead State (4-3, 1-1) for a non-conference game. Tip-off is Wednesday, December 11 at 6:00 p.m. est.

Edwin Bear
Cleveland State Community College
Sports Information/Media Relations