Nashville, Tenn .--- The Tennessee State University women's basketball team overcame a double-digit deficit in the second half, but Belmont was able to keep the Lady Tigers at bay as the Bruins claimed a 67-56 victory Saturday night in the Gentry Center.

Tennessee State falls to 2-5 while Belmont moves to 4-5 on the season. Tennessee State forced Belmont into 25 turnovers but also committed 25 turnovers.

The Lady Tigers got off to a slow start in the first half falling behind 2-9 at the 17:02 mark. TSU cut the Belmont lead down to two points on three occasions before the Bruins used a 7-0 run to close out the second half leading 29-20.

Belmont increased its lead to 12 (34-22) early in the second half. The Bruins maintained the lead until a three pointer by Charisse Hicks sparked a 13-3 run that brought the Lady Tigers to within one (39-40). Tennessee State captured a 42-40 lead on a three pointer by Kendra Appling with 12:52 left to play.

There would be three ties and three lead changes over the next four minutes. Leading 49-48, BU outscored TSU 9-2 to stretch the advantage to eight (58-50) with six minutes left to play. The Lady Tigers cut the Bruin lead down to seven (56-63) on a 3-point bucket from Kendra Appling at the 2:25 mark but that was as close as they would get.

Kendra Appling led all Lady Tiger scorers with 21 points in addition to six rebounds, three assists and four steals. Oby Okafor recorded 19 points and Jheri Booker pulled down a game-high 12 boards.

Brooke Sunday led four double-digit scores with 17 points for Belmont.

The Lady Tigers hit the road to face Southeast Missouri and Eastern Illinois on Thursday, Dec. 6, and Saturday, Dec. 8.