Women's Basketball Falls to #10 Shelton State

Tuscaloosa, AL — Calhoun women's basketball faced a tough road test Monday night, falling 90–61 to No. 10 nationally ranked Shelton State as the Bucs used a fast start and dominant first half to pull away at home.

The Warhawks struck first and showed early confidence, jumping out to a 7–6 lead just two and a half minutes into the contest. From there, Shelton State seized control. The Bucs caught fire offensively in the opening quarter, shooting nearly 63% from the field to build an 11-point advantage by the end of the first 10 minutes.

The second quarter followed a similar pattern. Shelton State controlled the glass and capitalized on second-chance opportunities, turning offensive rebounds into extended possessions and points. The Bucs poured in another 24 points in the frame, stretching the margin to 48–27 at halftime.

Coming out of the break, Calhoun responded with increased physicality and effort. The Warhawks battled on the boards in the third quarter, holding Shelton State in check on the glass and competing possession by possession. Despite the improved effort, the Bucs' depth and efficiency continued to apply pressure heading into the final period.

The fourth quarter marked Calhoun's most effective stretch of the night. The Warhawks scored 22 points, their highest output in any quarter, while holding Shelton State to just 20. Though the momentum shift showed resilience, the early deficit proved too much to overcome as the Warhawks ultimately fell 90–61.

Individually, Victoria Pyles led all scorers with 18 points, shooting 7-of-15 from the field and knocking down four three-pointers. Kamora Simpson and Jamya Glover also reached double figures for Calhoun, providing steady production as the Warhawks fought through the closing minutes.

Head Coach Candace Byrd emphasized growth coming out of the loss. "Shelton is a really good team, and they showed why they're ranked where they are," Byrd said. "I was proud of the way we continued to compete, especially in the second half. We made adjustments, fought on the glass, and didn't quit when things got tough. That fourth quarter is something we can build on as we move forward."

The Warhawks (10-7, 1-1) will return home Thursday, January 22, hosting Coastal Alabama South (12–4, 0–2) at Kelley Gymnasium with tipoff scheduled for 5:30 p.m.