Nashville --- The Tennessee State University women’s basketball team picked up a 61-52 victory over visiting Eastern Kentucky on Saturday night in the Gentry Center.

 

With the win, Tennessee State (6-8, 2-1 OVC) extended its home winning streak to four while Eastern Kentucky dropped to 4-7 (1-2 OVC).

 

Tiffany Jackson led TSU with 20 points while Charisse Hicks added 15. Kendra Appling chipped in 14.

 

Kayla Drake and Colette Cole each tallied 13 points to lead the Colonels.

 

Tennessee State led for much of the first half but Eastern Kentucky used a 9-2 run to close out the half and tie the game 23-23 at the break.

 

TSU outscored EKU 11-4 in the opening five minutes of the second period to go ahead 34-27 but the Colonels responded and cut the deficit down to one (39-38) five minutes later.

 

The Lady Tigers once again created a little distance and moved ahead 46-38 but the Colonels answered with another run and eventually tied the game 52-52 with 4:02 left to play.

 

At the 3:49 mark, Kendra Appling found Charisse Hicks under the basket to spark a rally that saw the Lady Tigers score nine unanswered points to close out the half and claim the 61-52 win.

 

Tennessee State shot a season second-best 81.3 percent from the charity stripe and tallied 16 steals in the contest. TSU lost the battle of the boards 41-34 but dished out 14 assists to EKU’s 11.

 

The Lady Tigers return to action on Monday when they host the Lady Eagles of Morehead State for continued OVC action. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in the Gentry Center.