Lady Bucs Bring ACCC Title Back Home

TALLADEGA - Madonna Thompson said she thought about last year's loss to Wallace State Hanceville every day.

The Lions ended the Lady Bucs run of nine consecutive ACCC titles with a 49-46 win.

On Saturday, the No. 5 Shelton State Community College women's basketball team erased that memory with a dominant third quarter en route to a 74-59 win over Lawson State Community College, who upset Hanceville in Friday's second semifinal.

"Obviously, we wanted to avenge last year's loss," head coach Madonna Thompson said.  "It has been a thorn in my side for a year. "I'm just glad we were able to get it done today."

Shelton State (29-5) captured its 21st ACCC Championship in program history and will advance to the NJCAA National Tournament in Lake Charles, La. The tournament pairings will be announced Monday, March 16 at 4 p.m. (CT).

Shelton State outscored Lawson State 26-8 in the third quarter to turn a close game into a double-digit win.

The Lady Bucs scored the first eight points of the quarter, extending its run to 11-0, to take a 42-31 lead. 

In all, seven different Lady Bucs scored in the third quarter to take a 60-39 lead heading in the fourth quarter. 

"At halftime, we talked about the importance of the first five minutes of the second half," Thompson said. "That we needed to dictate and determine how the rest of the game was going to be played. We did a really good job of taking control of the game those first five minutes."

Freshman guard Nadia Norfleet had a game-high 21 points (9-of-19 FG) to earn ACCC Tournament MVP honors. She added five rebounds and four assists. 

"I got in a rhythm early and just tried to keep my foot on the gas," Norfleet said. "I've been in big games like this before and I know what it takes to win. I'm honored that I received the MVP award, but the job is not done yet."

She poured in 33 points in the two wins over Gadsden State and Bishop State.

"Nadia plays her best when the lights are the brightest," Thompson added. "She was built to win championships. She won two state championships at Tupelo high school and has continued with us."

Freshman guard Aryah Grace tallied 14 points (5-of-6 FT), five rebounds and three steals en route to All-Tournament Team honors.

Sophomore guard Alana Obianozie had a game-high 17 rebounds, the most by a Lady Bucs player in an ACCC Tournament game in the last 12 years. She also added four points, four assists and three steals en route to All-Tournament Team honors. 

Redshirt freshman Bri Adams added 11 points (5-of-8 FG), three rebounds, three steals, and one assist.

Freshman forward Haley Trotter added seven points and nine rebounds. 

The Lady Bucs responded with a 7-0 run to put the game away. Adams made a basket to start the run. Obianozie added a jumper and free throw before freshman Elle Wheeler's jumper capped the run.

Shelton State used a 13-2 run to take a 21-14 lead after the first quarter.

Lawson State tied the game twice in second quarter, but a three-pointer by Adams time expired gave the Lady Bucs a 34-31 halftime lead.

Breona Walker had 20 points to lead the Lady Cougars.

Shelton State made 29-of-66 (.439) from the field, including five three-pointers. The Lady Bucs made 11-of-15 free throws and pulled down 44 rebounds.