Nashville --- Three Lady Tigers scored in double-digits, including senior Tiffany Jackson who tallied her 1,000^th career point, to lift Tennessee State past a feisty Tennessee Tech team, 79-75, in overtime on Saturday night in the Gentry Center.

 

Kendra Appling nailed a three-pointer with 24 seconds left in regulation to send the game to overtime before connecting on two free-throws in the extra period to seal the win.

 

Tennessee State (11-9, 7-2 OVC) won its fourth straight and remained undefeated at home while Tennessee Tech fell to 4-16 overall and 2-7 in league play.

 

Tiffany Jackson was just shy of a double-double with 23 points and nine boards. She also notched her 1,000^th career point. Kendra Appling followed with 20 points and five steals while Charisse Hicks added 12.

 

Blair Bowens led Tech with 18 points while Tacarra Hayes and Meagan Lyons each tallied 16.

 

TSU jumped out to an early 10-2 lead but Tech scored eight straight points to bring the score to 10-8. The next few minutes were played closely until TSU created a little distance following a lay-up from LaDona Pierce. The bucket sparked a 9-0 run that gave the Lady Tigers a 29-19 advantage.

 

TTU managed to cut the deficit down to five points before TSU went into the locker room with a 39-32 lead.

 

The Golden Eagles came out of the break rejuvenated and scored the first seven points of the half, quickly erasing the TSU lead.

 

TTU captured its first lead of the contest, 44-43, after Blair Bowens knocked down a three pointer at the 16:42 mark.

 

TSU reclaimed the lead nearly two minutes later when Charisse Hicks nailed a triple from the corner.

 

After trading the lead a couple of times, Tech grabbed the lead at the 7:18 mark and kept it until the final 24 seconds of regulation. With TSU trailing, 70-67, Kendra Appling connected from downtown to knot the score at 70-apiece.

 

Tech’s shot attempt with four seconds on the clock rolled off the front of the rim.

 

Despite missing eight free-throws in the overtime period, Tennessee State was able to pull out the close win after Kendra Appling sank two free-throws to give the Lady Tigers a 79-75 lead with two seconds left on the clock.

 

The Lady Tigers return to action when they visit Morehead State to face the Eagles next Thursday at Ellis T. Johnson Arena.