Nashville --- Morehead State erased a 17-point first half deficit but Tennessee State made crucial buckets down the stretch to claim a 72-68 conference win on Monday night in the Gentry Center.

 

Tennessee State (7-8, 3-1 OVC) claimed its third straight win and remained undefeated at home with the win while Morehead State (8-8, 2-2 OVC) dropped its third consecutive contest.

 

Tiffany Jackson led the Lady Tigers with 22 points while Kendra Appling tallied 21. Jasmine Smith pulled down a team-best eight rebounds for TSU and collected five steals.

 

Four Eagles tallied double-digits led by Brittany Pittman’s 15 points and 11 rebounds. Chynna Bozeman recorded 14 points while Tiffany Hamilton and Tiffanie Stephens each posted 12.

 

Early in the first half three back-to-back triples from Tiffanie Stephens put MSU on top 13-9 before TSU climbed back ahead 17-16 on a jumper from LaDona Pierce (9:34).

 

Leading 28-22, TSU closed out the half with a 14-4 scoring run that gave the Lady Tigers a 42-26 advantage at the break.

 

In the second half, the Eagles used their 3-point shooting to get back into the game and although the Lady Tigers never trailed in the period, both teams fiercely battled throughout the half.

 

A triple from Tiffanie Stephans cut the TSU lead down to five (49-44) at the 12:21 mark but the Lady Tigers re-upped the advantage to 60-50 five minutes later.

 

MSU then outscored TSU 13-4 to come to within one (64-63) with a little over two minutes to play. Holding a slight lead, Kendra Appling nailed a 15-footer with :40 seconds on the clock but Morehead State’s Deja Watson answered with a lay-up of her own.

 

With time winding down and TSU leading by one point, Charisse Hicks found Tiffany Jackson under the basket with seven seconds left on the clock. Jackson scored the bucket and drew the foul. Her made free-throw gave TSU a 72-68 lead.

 

MSU’s final shot attempt was off the mark. 

 

The Lady Tigers will hit the road for their next couple of games beginning with a match-up at Murray State on Thursday. Tip-off is slated for 5:15 p.m. at the Regional Special Events Center.