NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Jayda Johnson scored 14 points off of the bench, but the Tennessee State women's basketball team dropped its second-straight home game to UT Martin, 64-58, Wednesday.

Johnson had seven rebounds to go along with her team-leading points while I'mani Davis (11 points) and Chelsea Hudson (11 points) also scored in double figures for TSU (8-11, 5-3 OVC).

UTM (12-9, 8-0 OVC) had three scorers finish with over 10 points, but Ashia Jones led all scorers with 21.

The Tennessee State defense forced 22 turnovers, but made 18-of-71 shot attempts (25 percent).

UT Martin nailed a three to start the game and used a full-court press to jump out to a quick, 7-0, advantage. The Lady Tigers figured out the Skyhawk defense and eventually got within two at 17-15 when Johnson hit a triple at the 10:45 mark.

From that point, UTM made four consecutive baskets without a miss and went on an 11-4 run to raise its lead to nine with seven minutes to play before halftime.

The lead swelled to 12 before Hudson hit a closing jumper to put the home team behind, 40-30, heading into the break.

The Lady Tigers dominated down-low during the opening period, winning the battle of the boards (24-20) and outscoring the Skyhawks in the paint (18-8). However, UTM outshot TSU from the field (44-32 percent) and from deep (36-18 percent).

Tennessee State was able to trim the lead back down to nine when Johnson nailed a couple of freeibies at the 11:58 mark, but UT Martin quickly shut the door with eight straight points.

Even down by 17 at one point, the Lady Tigers stood strong and closed the game on a 10-2 run to fall by just six, 64-58.

Hudson secured a game-high 13 boards for her fifth straight double-double.

Tennessee State will return to the court on Jan. 31 for a home tilt against Jacksonville State at 5:30 p.m.

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