Rome, GA – Southern Wesleyan fell in an intense battle against the Shorter Hawks on Saturday in a 68-56 final score.
The Warriors shot 43.6% from the field with three players posting double digits. Taylin Smith led the team with 11 while both Dynasty Shegog and Lexie Ransom each had 10 points. Kaliah Kendrick had five of the 10 assists.
Southern Wesleyan pulled down 19 rebounds with Rahkhia Mack leading the team with four. Kaliah Kendrick and Peyton Looky had three rebounds. Asia Pearley recorded the lone block. The Warriors had 15 steals with Mack leading the team with four.
Game Vitals
Final: Shorter 68, Southern Wesleyan 56
Records: Southern Wesleyan (3-8 / CC 0-4) Shorter (6-1 / CC 2-0)
How It Happened
Southern Wesleyan went on the offensive early on in the game as Taylin Smith stole the ball away from Shorter and took it down the court for a layup. However, a three pointer by Amya Patterson allowed the Hawks to take the lead seconds later. Dynasty Shegog tipped the ball into the basket off a missed layup by Kaliah Kendrick to put the Warriors back on top. The Hawks persevered as Tiara Lewis tipped the ball into the basket. Shorter would not relent as Emariah Grant put up a three. A layup by Shegog allowed the Warriors to stay within ten. Southern Wesleyan continued to chip away at the Hawks lead as Asia Pearley hit a three pointer to put them within four.
Dynasty Shegog kicked off the second quarter for the Warriors with a layup to allow them to tie the game up at twenty points apiece. The Hawks pushed on as Amya Patterson laid the ball up and then Emariah Grant put up another three. Rahkhia Mack put up back to back baskets to keep the Warriors within five. With just over four minutes left on the clock, Lexie Ransom laid the ball up to put the Warriors behind the Hawks 31-28. Tionna Baker put up a jump shot and then a foul by the Warriors allowed Derrica McCall to go to the free throw line to get two more for the Hawks. Shorter led Southern Wesleyan 37-29 going into the locker room.
The Warriors kicked off the third quarter with a jump shot by Taylin Smith. Shorter would not back down as Amya Patterson put up a three pointer and a layup. Kaliah Kendricck laid the ball up, but the Hawks countered with a layup by Tiara Lewis. Asia Pearley passed the ball out beyond the arc to Peyton Looky who sunk a three pointer to keep the Warriors within nine. Shorter pushed on as Tori Smiley and Derrica McCall each laid the ball up into the basket.
A layup by Amya Patterson allowed Shorter to extend their lead to seventeen. Taylin Smith and Lexie Ransom each put up baskets. The Warriors continued to challenge as Peyton Looky stole the ball away from the Hawks and sent the ball down the court to Ransom. Ransom sunk the ball into the basket from beyond the arc. Asia Pearley and Rahkhia Mack each laid the ball up. Tionna Baker tipped the ball into the basket, but the Warriors countered with a tip in basket out of the hands of Peyton Looky. Despite a last second three pointer by Lexie Ransom, the Warriors fell to the Hawks in a 68-56 final score.
What's Next
The Warriors will take a break for the Holidays. They will return to the court on December 30 as they travel to Cullowhee, NC to take on the Western Carolina Catamounts in exhibition play. Southern Wesleyan will then take on the Furman Paladins in exhibition play on January 1. The Warriors return to Historic Tysinger Gymnasium on January 4 at 2pm as they host the Francis Marion Patriots.
