Lions Season Ends With Loss in 2nd Round of NJCAA Women’s National Tournament

The Wallace State women's basketball season ended in the 2nd Round of the NJCAA National Tournament. The Lions fell to the #3 Northwest Florida State College Raiders 59-41.

Wallace State finishes the season 29-5 under first-year head coach Joseph Simmons. 

The Lions jumped out to an early 5-0 lead after a three-pointer from Kallie Tinker and a layup from Sinaya Gibson. Gibson finished the quarter with six points to lead Wallace to an 11-10 lead heading into the second quarter.

After the Raiders took an 18-13 lead with 4:09 left in the half, the Lions responded to tie the game at 18-18. Kameron Sanders started the 5-0 run with a layup and Tinker tied the game with a three. Northwest finished the half on a 9-2 run to take a 27-20 lead into the half.

The Raiders increased their lead to 31-20 early in the third quarter. However, Wallace refused to go away as they went on a 6-0 run to close within five at 31-26 with 6:02 remaining in the third. Defense dominated the final six minutes of the quarter as the Lions were held to just two points the rest of the quarter, while holding Northwest to just six points. The Raiders led by nine, 37-28, going to the final quarter. 

The fourth quarter belonged to Northwest as they outscored Wallace 22-13 to secure the victory. 

Tinker and Idaysia Mercer led the Lions with 11 points apiece. Mercer had seven rebounds and two assists, while Tinker had two rebounds. Gibson added 10 points, five rebounds and an assist. Sanders added six points, four rebounds and five assists, while Fuller had three points, five rebounds and three assists. 

Wallace returns three starters heading into next season in Mercer, Sanders and Gibson. They also potentially return five other players: Bailey and Heather Tetro, Emma Stearns, Chloe Rule, and Carrie McCullar.