Lady Senators close Pete Arrington Thanksgiving Classic with 88-55 win over Albany Tech

AMERICUS, GA – No. 7 Walters State used a 29-7 second quarter on Saturday afternoon in the Pete Arrington Thanksgiving Classic to blow past Albany Tech, 88-55. 

With the victory, the Lady Senators improved to 8-0 on the season. 

"We didn't play our best basketball today, but I'm proud of our group for finding a way to come out with a win," Walters State coach Jasmin Coleman said. "This was a tough stretch against two quality teams on the road. Anytime you can leave Georgia with two victories, you take it and build on it.

"I thought we did a good job getting to the free-throw line and converting those opportunities. Those were big possessions for us." 

Terryauna Griffin led the way for Walters State in the game with 24 points, 12 rebounds and four steals. It was her first double-double of the season.

Along with Griffin, Raegan Starks and Malon Smith had 17 points each while Paradise Fisher finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Other contributors for Walters State were Nyjah Gibbs with seven points and eight rebounds, Anaya Mulholland-Natt with eight points and Malia Wilcox with four points and six rebounds.

It was a close opening 10 minutes, with Walters State leading 14-13. Gibbs and Smith each had five points in the quarter, while Mulholland-Natt hit a three. 

The second quarter was the turning point in the game, as Walters State outscored Albany Tech 29-7 and led 43-20 at the break. Fisher and Griffin each had seven points in the quarter, while Smith had five points and Starks tallied four points. 

Walters State came out of the half and scored 21 points in the third quarter while holding Albany Tech to just 11. Griffin had eight more points in the quarter, while Starks led the way with nine to give the Lady Senators a 64-31 lead. 

In the fourth, the Lady Senators closed things out with 24 points and easily took the win. Griffin led the way with seven points in the final 10 minutes, and Starks added seven points as well. 

Up Next:

Walters State is back in action on Wednesday, hosting Chattanooga State. Tip is set for 5:30 pm ET. 

"We've got Chattanooga State coming in on Wednesday, followed by a tough road trip to Dyersburg," Coleman said. "Our focus has to continue to be on getting better."