Motlow College Athletic News

Lady Bucks Hold Off Gadsden State

November 17, 2011

Chattanooga freshman Alexxus Sturkey scored 12 of her team-high 14 points in the second half to help the Motlow Lady Bucks hold off the visiting Gadsden State Lady Cardinals 73-62 at Copperweld Arena Wednesday night.

Motlow (3-2, 1-1) will step back into Tennessee Community College Athletic Association play this weekend when it travels to Gallatin to face rival Volunteer State. Tipoff for the women's contest is scheduled for 2 p.m., with the radio and internet broadcast on WHMT 105.1 and TullahomaRadio.com.

Wednesday night against a non-conference opponent from Gadsden, Alabama, the Lady Bucks had 11 different players score during the first half on their way to a 35-27 halftime lead. Defense keyed the fast start for Motlow, forcing the visitors into 18 turnovers in the first 20 minutes.

The visitors changed strategy after the intermission, working the ball inside to post Jasmyne Reeves and quickly closing the gap until the game was tied at 43-43 with 12 minutes remaining.

The next seven minutes were back and forth, with both teams missing multiple free throws that could have enabled them to take a lead, and with five minutes remaining to play the two teams were tied at 56.

That is when Sturkey began to take charge, scoring eight of her points, and the Lady Bucks began to consistently connect from the free-throw line. Callisha Johnson, Danielle Ervin, and Katie Lipham each hit back-to-back free throws at critical points in the final minutes.

Johnson joined Sturkey in double figures for Motlow with 11 points, while pulling down a team-high seven rebounds. Emily Rivers added 10 points, including a big three-pointer during the final minutes.

Lekera Taylor added six points and six rebounds for the Lady Bucks, while LaTasha Taylor scored nine and had a pair of assists. Reeves led the visitors with 13 points and six rebounds.

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