Wallace State’s Miajah Bullock (3) prepares to skip a pass across court to a teammate. (Photo courtesy of Russell Moore)
HANCEVILLE – Wallace State’s basketball teams notched a conference sweep against Lawson State on Thursday night.
The Lady Lions opened the night with a 78-68 victory over the Lady Cougars, and the WSCC men capped the sweep with a 70-56 triumph.
Wallace State’s women (16-4, 2-1 Alabama Community College Conference) had three players post double figures, including sophomore DeMaurea Moore, who finished with 23 points and 14 rebounds. Moore, a sophomore from Hillcrest, registered her eighth double-double of the season.
Freshman Imari Martin had 18 points, six rebounds and four assists and Miajah Bullock added 10 points and five rebounds for the Lady Lions, who have won 12 of their last 13 games.
Kyra Williams pitched in with nine points for Wallace State, Channing Gafford had eight and Jada Golden contributed seven points off the bench.
Wallace State nursed an 18-17 lead at the end of the first quarter and sustained as much as an eight-point lead in the first half. The Lady Lions controlled a 39-34 advantage at intermission.
Wallace State pushed its lead to double digits by the 4:14 mark in the third quarter after a Moore bucket and led 64-50 after three quarters.
Wallace State outrebounded Lawson State, 52-24.
For Lawson State, LaShandria Mallard and Chelsea Leach each had 16 points.
After playing South Georgia Technical College today, Wallace State travels to Southern Union on Tuesday.
Men’s game
Wallace State 70 – Lawson State 56
The Lions (13-7, 3-1 ACCC) find themselves in a four-way tie atop the ACCC North Division after an impressive outing on Thursday.
Sophomore Demarkus Lampley poured in a game-high 21 points, scoring 15 points from the free-throw line.
Jalen Hodges scored 13 of his 17 points in the first half for Wallace State, Mike Johnson added 11 off the bench, and the Lions posted one of their best defensive efforts of the season.
“Besides a couple of defensive lapses in the second half, this was the most complete game we’ve played. We’ve got to build on it moving forward,” said Wallace State coach John Meeks.
Wallace State broke an early 7-all tie with a pair of buckets by Chris Rollins, including a slam dunk, and a jumper by Johnson.
The Lions never relinquished the lead. Lampley connected on a pair of free throws with 6:20 remaining for a 21-14 cushion, and Wallace State eventually took a 28-21 advantage into halftime.
Wallace State controlled as much as a 19-point cushion in the second half after 3-pointers by Johnson and Lampley.
For Lawson State, Shannon Woody led the way with 17 points.
Wallace State is tied with Shelton State, Snead State and Bevill State atop the division after four conference games.
“We knew this division was going to be top heavy and any team can win on a given night. You’ve got to be prepared every game. You can’t count any team out,” Meeks said.
Wallace State’s men continue conference action at Southern Union on Tuesday.
For more information about Wallace State athletics, visit www.athletics.wallacestate.edu or the athletics Facebook page at www.wallacestate.edu/athleticsfb.
