TC improved to 6-3 with the win. The Lady Tornadoes never trailed in the game, put it away early in the first half and were able to shift to cruise control in the second despite disciplinary issues.
“We knew we had limited players so we just tried to jump off to a big lead just in case we had to compensate for any mistakes down the line,” said Talladega College head coach Romeo Lagmay. “I think we’re totally blessed. We just let nature take its course and we thank God every day that we have no serious injuries and we’re able play to a high standard.”
Megan Iloff led TC with 20 points, three steals and three rebounds. Shakila Cole scored 16 points and had two steals, while Ebony Richardson scored 10 points and grabbed nine rebounds for Talladega.
Oakwood was led by Courtney White, who had nine points, seven rebounds and three steals. Samiah Alexander also recorded nine points and three steals, while Ashley Gray chipped in eight points and four rebounds for the Lady Ambassadors.
The Lady Tornadoes hit five of their first six shots to set the tone for the night. Richardson scored six points in the opening run, putting TC up 11-2.
A 3-pointer from Cole pushed the Lady Tornado lead to 24-7, and by halftime the TC lead had swelled to 40-17.
If the game wasn’t already out of reach, it was after TC began the second half on an 8-0 run, with two baskets coming from Shakeela Rutled.
Midway through the second quarter, the TC lead peaked at 30 points at 51-21. Oakwood responded with an 11-3 run, but it was too little too late for the Lady Ambassadors.
“It was sloppy in the second half,” Lagmay said. “I told the team they have to learn from a game like this. They may win it based on their athleticism but at the same time they have to work and improve individually and as a team.”
Talladega shot 45.9 percent from the field, while Oakwood struggled, making just 24.1 percent.
The Lady Tornadoes, winners in five of their last six games, will play at Selma tonight at 5:30 p.m.
“Selma is basically a dogfight,” Lagmay said. “I told the team this is going to test their pride. We’ll see how it works out tomorrow, but we’ll see how tough we are in a dogfight.”
Oakwood is scheduled to host Huntingdon tonight in Huntsville.
Contact Wesley Sinor at wsinor@dailyhome.com.
