Women's Basketball Season Ends at ACCC Tournament
Talladega AL – Calhoun women's basketball saw their season come to a close Thursday night, falling 73–59 to Lawson State in the first round of the ACCC/Region 22 Tournament at Talladega College.
Entering the tournament as the No. 6 seed, the Warhawks faced the No. 3 seeded Cougars in a postseason matchup that ultimately marked the final game of the season for Calhoun.
Lawson State wasted little time asserting themselves, opening the contest with a strong offensive surge. The Cougars knocked down multiple early three-pointers and quickly built momentum, putting the Warhawks in an early deficit as Calhoun struggled to slow the perimeter attack.
Despite the slow start, the Warhawks responded with energy in the second quarter. Calhoun began to settle into an offensive rhythm and answered Lawson State's outside shooting with back-to-back three-pointers of their own. The late push helped the Warhawks trim the deficit and regain some momentum heading into halftime, cutting the Cougar lead to seven.
Out of the break, Calhoun mounted their strongest push of the night. The Warhawks increased their defensive pressure and began generating scoring opportunities in transition and from the perimeter. The third-quarter surge brought Calhoun within striking distance and kept the game competitive as both teams battled for control.
However, Lawson State managed to hold off the Warhawks' rally. Despite several opportunities to close the gap further, Calhoun was unable to capture the lead before the start of the fourth quarter. The Cougars regained their rhythm in the final period and maintained enough separation down the stretch to secure the 73–59 victory.
Following the game, head coach Candace Byrd reflected on the team's effort throughout the season and the resilience shown by the program's sophomore class. "This wasn't the result we were hoping for, but I'm incredibly proud of the fight this group showed all season," Byrd said. "It's been a challenging year in a lot of ways, but these players kept battling. To see them compete in the postseason and give everything they had for the final 40 minutes of their careers says a lot about who they are. Our sophomores have meant so much to this program, and I'm very grateful for everything they've given to Calhoun."
The loss closes the season for the Warhawks, who finish the year at (13–17, 4–11).
Calhoun graduates seven sophomore student-athletes along with a student manager: