Heartbreaking Semifinal Exit Ends Historic Season for Lady Lions

TALLADEGA, Ala. — A season that produced 29 wins and a top-20 national ranking came to a painful close Saturday as the Wallace State Lady Lions fell to Lawson State 54-51 in the semifinals of the Alabama Community College Conference Tournament at Talladega College. Despite dominating the glass and competing with characteristic toughness, the Lady Lions could not overcome a shooting performance that never quite found its footing in the program's final game of the year.

Wallace State entered the contest as one of the nation's elite programs, ranked 16th nationally and carrying the weight of a 29-2 record built on defensive resolve and collective effort. Against a scrappy Lawson State squad, those same qualities were on display — but a 36.1% shooting night from the field and an ice-cold 15.0% performance from three-point range left the Lady Lions with too little margin for error in a game decided by three possessions.

Zamyra Goode led Wallace State with 11 points and shouldered much of the offensive burden throughout the evening. The versatile forward also contributed five rebounds and three assists, showcasing the all-around game that made her one of the Lady Lions' most trusted players all season. Goode's effort was undeniable, but a 33% shooting night in such a critical moment exemplified the collective offensive struggle that plagued Wallace State from start to finish.

Kameron Sanders brought energy and physicality, finishing with nine points and a team-high eight rebounds. Sanders' presence on the boards was a bright spot — Wallace State out-rebounded Lawson State 35-19, a commanding margin that should have tilted the game in the Lady Lions' favor. Instead, Lawson State's ability to convert on their limited possessions negated that advantage entirely.

Leah Childress added eight points and four rebounds, while Karma Wynn was a quiet force with six rebounds and eight points without attempting a three. The Lady Lions simply could not buy a basket when they needed one most.

Turnovers compounded the shooting struggles. Wallace State committed 18 giveaways compared to Lawson State's 13, and the Lady Cougars converted several of those miscues into fast-break opportunities that proved decisive in a three-point game. The Lady Lions' 14 offensive rebounds demonstrated relentless effort on the glass, but second-chance points alone could not compensate for the turnovers surrendered on the other end.

Lawson State shot 45.5% from the field — nearly ten percentage points better than Wallace State — and their defense generated 10 steals that kept the Lady Lions off-balance and out of rhythm offensively throughout the contest.

The loss stings, but the season's body of work speaks for itself. A 29-2 record, a No. 16 national ranking, and a run to the ACCC semifinals represent a remarkable achievement for a Lady Lions program that competed at the highest level of junior college basketball from opening night through the final buzzer in Talladega.