Women's Basketball Falls to #5 Shelton State
Decatur, AL – Calhoun women's basketball delivered one of their most spirited performances of the season Monday night, battling No. 5 nationally ranked Shelton State for three quarters before falling 72-52 at Kelley Gymnasium.
Shelton entered as one of the hottest teams in junior college basketball, but Calhoun showed early that they would not back down. The Bucs came out sharp in the opening quarter, yet the Warhawks countered with renewed defensive intensity. The bench was active and engaged, and the defensive pressure inside Kelley Gymnasium reflected that energy. Calhoun disrupted Shelton's offensive rhythm and held the deficit to seven points after the first 10 minutes.
In the second quarter, the Warhawk offense began to mirror the defensive effort. Stops turned into transition opportunities, and Calhoun found momentum on both ends of the floor. The Calhoun frontcourt controlled the paint, powering the Warhawks to a 17-14 edge in the period. At halftime, Shelton clung to a narrow 29-25 lead.
The fight continued in the third. Calhoun kept the game within striking distance and never allowed the Shelton advantage to reach double digits. Defensive pressure and hustle plays kept the Warhawks within nine points heading into the final quarter, with the home crowd fully engaged.
In the fourth, however, Shelton's composure showed why they hold a top-five national ranking. The Bucs capitalized on costly Calhoun turnovers and used a decisive run to create separation, winning the quarter by 11 and closing out the 72-52 victory.
Despite the final score, Calhoun displayed a renewed sense of energy and cohesion, competing toe-to-toe with one of the nation's premier programs for much of the night. Jasmine Ervin led the way with 20 points, while Gabrielle Stigger added 13. Eight different Warhawks recorded steals as part of an aggressive defensive effort. Shelton ultimately created distance on the glass, winning the rebounding battle 43-20.
Head Coach Candace Byrd praised her team's effort following the game. "I couldn't be prouder of the way our girls competed tonight," Byrd said. "It's not the outcome we wanted, but Shelton is the number five team in the country for a reason. Our effort and energy were exactly where they need to be, and we played together for four quarters. If we bring that same mindset and intensity into Thursday, we'll give ourselves a great chance to get back on track."
Calhoun (11-13, 2-7) will hit the road to Coastal Alabama South (15-9, 2-7) on Thursday, Feb. 19, for a 5:30 p.m. tip.