FINAL BOX 

NASHVILLE  --- The Tennessee State University women's basketball team picked up a much needed win versus Eastern Illinois, 69-58, Wednesday night in the Gentry Center.

Tennessee State (9-11, 4-6 OVC) led from wire to wire and had 15 steals in the game.

Tia Wooten led TSU with 14 points while I'mani Davis recorded a double-double of 13 points and 17 rebounds. Diamond Beatty finished with 13 points and Jayda Johnson registered 11.

Carmen Tellez led EIU (7-15, 3-7 OVC) with 18 points while Grace Lennox tallied 17 points.

The score was 7-5 in favor of Tennessee State when the Lady Tigers used an 8-0 spurt to move ahead 15-5. Eastern Illinois responded with five unanswered points to pull within five before TSU grabbed a 17-11 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

In the second period, Tariana Carter nailed a three-pointer from the corner to put the Lady Tigers on top, 26-15, with 3:36 on the clock. The Panthers used another rally to cut the deficit down to six points but another scoring barrage by the Lady Tigers extended the lead back up to double-digits.

TSU had a 36-25 edge at the break.

In the third frame, back-to-back steals and resulting layups increased the Lady Tigers' advantage to 42-28. TSU retained a double-digit cushion all the way up until EIU closed the gap to, 56-47, in the fourth quarter.

The Lady Tigers maintained their composure and with 4:15 remaining in the game, two free-throws by I'mani Davis made TSU's lead, 61-49.

Despite EIU's efforts, TSU kept the opponents at bay.

Tennessee State outrebounded Eastern Illinois, 50-35, and held the advantage in second chance points, 18-5.

Tennessee State returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 4 at Austin Peay. Game time is set for 4 p.m. in the Dunn Center.

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