SSU WBB moves to 5-0, posts program victory No. 895 with 64-51 victory over Montreat (N.C.)

KINGSPORT, Tenn. -- When one's shot isn't falling and the flow of the game inevitably causes adversity as it does in most games for any team, a good team will always find ways to win.

Despite shooting 18-of-59 from the field against the Montreat Cavaliers' women's basketball program and being outrebounded by a 40-35 mark, the Shawnee State Bears' women's basketball program again used its defensive pressure to wreak havoc Saturday evening as DeWayne Burroughs' club forced 26 turnovers and got a 28-point, five-rebound, five-steal performance from Markayla Holland in a 64-51 victory over Montreat (N.C.) in its second and final game at 'The Show,' which is being held at the MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center in Kingsport, Tenn.

The Rundown

Shawnee State, who finished its contests at 'The Show' with a 2-0 record and moved to 5-0 on the 2024-25 season in the process, collected program victory No. 895 in doing so. The Bears used its relentless defensive pressure to again cause major issues for the opposition -- as Montreat, despite shooting 22-of-49 from the field (44.9 percent) and 4-of-12 (33.3 percent) from three-point range -- struggled against Shawnee State's length, quickness and defensive IQ.

In all, the Bears forced 13 turnovers in the first half and forced the Cavaliers into nine miscues in the fourth quarter alone. The defensive pressure that Shawnee State applied proved to be the difference in the contest as the Bears outscored Montreat by a 56-33 margin just including the first, second and fourth quarters behind the tenacious pressure put on by SSU.

Over its two contests at 'The Show,' Shawnee State forced 47 turnovers -- or 23.5 miscues per contest -- in its wins over Faulkner (Ala.) and Montreat (N.C.).

Holland keeps mashing gas pedal

Enjoying a fantastic season to this point, Shawnee State junior Markayla Holland showed no signs of slowing down on either end of the court Saturday.

The 5-10 guard/forward wasted no time getting out to a fast start, scoring 17 first-half points on 5-of-9 shooting and a 6-of-8 mark from the free throw line to boot. Holland then added in 10 fourth-quarter points to help close the deal. Holland arguably made the game-clinching play by stealing an inbound pass on a side out by Montreat, spinning into the lane at the charity stripe and dropping in a one-handed floater to give Shawnee State a double-digit lead for good with 1:29 left as the Bears took a 58-47 advantage at that juncture.

For the contest, Holland posted game-highs of 28 points and five steals while adding five rebounds to boot on 42.9 percent shooting from the field (9-of-21). Holland did all of this while turning the ball over just a single time -- and played in a game-high 38 minutes to boot as well.

In 2024-25, Holland is averaging 19.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists on 47.4 percent shooting and a 76.5 percent clip from the charity stripe.

Hawthorne, Gregory set table

Playing arguably her most complete game so far as a Shawnee State talent, 6-0 junior forward Lauren Hawthorne showcased her potential with a strong and efficient eight-point, seven-rebound, three-assist, two-block, one-steal statline.

Hawthorne, who went 6-of-7 from the charity stripe Saturday and is shooting 84.6 percent from the free throw line this season, made an impact in various areas as the box score indicates.

The Hebron, Ky. native made two terrific passes that led to four key points for Shawnee State in doing the above. First, Hawthorne dropped a no-look pass off to Holland in the second quarter for a bucket with 6:49 to play in the first half after receiving a pass from fellow teammate Jada Johnson, who chased down a long rebound before passing ahead to Hawthorne, then with 8:10 left to play in the game, Hawthorne chased down her own offensive rebound on the baseline and, despite being surrounded by two defenders, fired a perfectly placed bounce pass around the trap to Holland for another wide open layup.

Gregory, who was again steady at the lead guard position, went 4-of-4 from the charity stripe Saturday, posted three assists without turning the ball over a single time and ultimately posted seven points in her own right. The senior from East Lansing, Mich. is averaging 2.6 assists per contest and is shooting 80 percent from the free throw line for the 2024-25 season so far.

Both Hawthorne's and Gregory's assist numbers were critical -- with the duo posting six of Shawnee State's eight assists on the evening and four out of its six dimes in the opening half, where Shawnee State was able to collect a 39-22 halftime advantage as a result of the duo creating for others.

Steele provides toughness on boards

Performing well on the glass all weekend, 5-9 sophomore Jariah Steele again added a punch for SSU in the rebounding department. Steele -- who posted 13 points and seven rebounds Friday in the Bears' 60-52 victory over Faulkner (Ala.) -- did the lunch pail work Saturday, nabbing 11 rebounds and adding in five points to help Shawnee State maintain a near wire-to-wire advantage over Montreat in Saturday's 64-51 win.

Steele ultimately averaged nine points and nine rebounds during Shawnee State's two contests at 'The Show' -- and is averaging 9.2 points and 6.4 rebounds on 50 percent shooting, 50 percent three-point shooting and 73.7 percent free throw shooting for the season.

Additional

Cianna Gloster posted six points and three rebounds while Lexi Deaver added two points and a steal to round out the starting group. Emily Maynard, Miyoshi Ellis and Amiya Latham combined for eight points to go along with Hawthorne's eight off of the bench while Johnson added four rebounds to round out Shawnee State's production.

Shawnee State (5-0) will face its biggest test of the season to date Wednesday evening when the Bears head to No. 7 Cumberlands (Ky.) for a nonconference matchup. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4 at The O. Wayne Rollins Center in Williamsburg, Ky.