FINAL STATS

Clarksville, Tenn. --- Five players scored in double-digits as the Tennessee State University women's basketball team cruised to a, 71-52, win over Austin Peay Saturday night in the Dunn Center.

The contest was tied when the Lady Tigers outscored the Lady Govs, 28-10, to take control of the game. Tennessee State (9-12, 5-5 OVC) shot over 40 percent from the field and forced Austin Peay (6-17, 1-10 OVC) into 20 turnovers.

Jasmin Shuler led a balanced attack from the Lady Tigers with 14 points while Kesi Hess, Destiney Gaston, and Chelsea Hudson each tallied 12. Hudson finished the game with 11 rebounds for her third career double-double. Simone Hopes registered 11 points and eight rebounds as Rachel Allen recorded seven steals.

Austin Peay was led in scoring by Meghan Bussabarger's 11 points.

Despite Jasmin Shuler knocking down two early three-pointers, the Austin Peay defense slowed Tennessee State down in the first part of the opening frame. The game was tied, 12-12, when the Lady Tigers outscored the Lady Govs, 7-2, to create a little distance.

APSU pulled to within three points a few possessions later but TSU would put together another rally to open the game up.

Fueled by their defense, the Lady Tigers went on a 13-0 run that made the score 32-16 with 2:58 left in the half. A steal and break-away lay-up by Rachel Allen put TSU up by 20 before the Lady Tigers went into the halftime break leading, 40-22.

Nearly three minutes ticked-off the clock before either team scored in the second half. Once the Lady Tigers got on the board, they continued to build on their lead. With 13:54 remaining in the game, TSU grabbed its largest lead of the game behind back-to-back buckets from Destiney Gaston.

Over the next several possessions, Austin Peay was able to cut the deficit down to 12 points thanks to a four-minute scoring drought by Tennessee State. Chelsea Hudson snapped the skid after connecting in the paint before Jasmin Shuler nailed her fourth triple of the game to put the Lady Tigers back on top, 64-42.

The Lady Tigers never looked back on the way to the win.

Tennessee State knocked down seven three-pointers in the contest and shot nearly 40 percent (38.9%) from long range. TSU held the advantage in rebounds, 47-44, points in the paint, 32-20 and steals, 16-5.

The Lady Tigers will return to action on Monday, Feb. 11 at Murray State. Game time is slated for 7 p.m. at the CSFB Center.

---tsutigers---