Salat's 30 points helps Seward County defeat Pratt 95-86

LIBERAL, Kan. - Seward County Community College defeats Pratt Community College 95-86 at the Greenhouse on Wednesday night. Sophomore guard Halima Salat had 30 points with eight threes, which is tied for second-best in program history. Seward County snapped a three-game losing streak to improve to 10-9 on the year and 8-5 in the KJCCC. Seward County will travel to Butler Community College this Saturday to take on the No. 18 Grizzlies in the Powe Plant at 2 p.m. CT. 

Salat had a career-high 30 points, eight rebounds, and two steals. De'Shawnti Thomas provided 25 points, and Alianna Colon had a career-high in threes made with six and a career-high 18 points.

Both teams traded off baskets to start the game as the Lady Saints took an early 8-6 lead after a Colon three-pointer. Salat followed suit at the two-minute mark with a three of her own as Seward County extended their first-quarter lead to 17-12. Salat finished the quarter with another three-pointer to give Seward County a 24-15 advantage as they headed into the second quarter. 

The Beavers responded with a 4-0 run to start the second quarter as the Lady Saints led 24-19 with eight minutes left before halftime. Another Colon three gave Seward County a ten-point lead again, 32-22, with 5:20 on the clock. Princess Anderson for Pratt, the NJCAA points per game leader, connected on a three to cut the Lady Saints' lead down to a single procession game 32-29.

A field goal by Ariana Escalante capped off an 8-3 run to give Seward County a 40-32 lead over Pratt. In the final seconds of the second quarter, Thomas connected on a layup as the Lady Saints went into halftime with a 45-38 advantage. 

The Lady Saints kept their lead early in the third quarter with another Colon three at the 8:20 mark, 50-42. The Beavers cut the lead down to six points, 53-47, but Seward County once again responded with an 8-0 run to take their largest lead of the game, 61-47. Once again, the Beavers responded with a 12-0 run as the Lady Saints led 61-59 at the 3:13 mark. At the end of the third quarter, Seward County led 72-66 over Pratt as the Lady Saints continued to hold off the Beavers.

The hot shooting continued in the fourth quarter for Seward County, taking an 81-69 lead after a 9-3 run in the first two minutes. Salat added another three at the five-minute mark as the Lady Saints led 87-77 and looked to close out the contest. Pratt went on a 9-3 run to trail 91-86 with two minutes left but ran out of steam in the final minutes as the Lady Saints claimed the 95-86 victory. 

Seward County will travel to No. 18 Butler Community College on Saturday to take on the Grizzlies at 2 p.m. CT.