Cookeville, Tenn. --- Tennessee State got a 16-point, 19-rebound performance from Jasmine Smith to help the Lady Tigers capture a 67-57 road win over Tennessee Tech Thursday night at the Eblen Center.

 

Tennessee State (15-11, 11-4 OVC) shot 45.6 percent from the field outrebounded Tennessee Tech (7-20, 5-11 OVC) 41-32 in the contest.

 

Jasmine Smith recorded her seventh double-double of the season with a career-high 19 rebounds to go along with 16 points.Smith also recorded four assists, four steals and two blocks in the contest. Kendra Appling and Tiffany Jackson also posted 16 points each for TSU.

 

Tech was led in scoring by Blair Bowen’s 13 points and Meagan Lyons added11.

 

Tennessee State jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the opening minute of play behind a three-pointer from Kendra Appling and a couple of converted Tech turnovers. The Golden Eagles scored the next five points to close the gap but the Lady Tigers responded with a 9-2 run to go ahead 16-7.

 

TSU later stretched its lead to 28-14 at the 7:20 mark following a bucket from Charisse Hicks. The Lady Tigers entered the halftime break with a 37-26 lead.

 

Out of the break, Tech fired off five quick points to cut the Lady Tiger lead down to 37-31 and force a TSU timeout.

 

TSU finally got its first points of the half on a 15-footer from Jasmine Smith at the 17:41 mark but TTU scored the next four points to cut the deficit down to just four points (39-35).

 

The Lady Tigers maintained their composure.

 

With TSU holding a slight 45-40 lead, a break-away lay-up by Charisse Hicks sparked a 14-3 run that saw the Lady Tigers pull away 59-43 with 5:12 left to play.

 

The Lady Tigers built the advantage up to as many as 16 points before the Golden Eagles cut the deficit down to eight (65-57) with 39 seconds left. That, however, would be as close as they would get.

 

The Lady Tigers will next head to Jacksonville for the final road game of the regular season. Game time is slated for 7 p.m. in Pete Mathews Coliseum.