FINAL BOX 

Final Score: Tennessee State 70– Eastern Illinois 66
Records: TSU (5-23, 5-11 OVC) – EIU (10-17, 4-12 OVC)
Venue: Gentry Center
Location: Nashville, Tenn.

NASHVILLE --- In a game that went down to the wire, the Tennessee State University women's basketball team gutted out a, 70-66, win over Eastern Illinois Thursday night in the Gentry Center.

TSU trailed by four points early in the fourth quarter but battled back to tie the game. Despite using a run to capture a seven-point lead with just under two minutes remaining, TSU had to fight off EIU down the stretch.

The Lady Tigers were up 68-66 when Tia Wooten hit two timely free-throws with 8.8 seconds remaining to give TSU a 70-66 lead. EIU's final shot attempt was off the mark.

Tennessee State (5-23, 5-11 OVC) was led in scoring by Tia Wooten who posted 22 points in her final game in the Gentry Center. Taylor Roberts finished with 11 while Cebria Outlow had a solid performance of six points, seven rebounds and seven assists.

Eastern Illinois (10-17, 4-12 OVC) had three players score in double-digits led by Taylor Steele's 23 points. Karle Pace tallied 21 points and Jalisha Smith added 11.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• TSU Leaders
  • Points: Tia Wooten – 22
  • Rebounds: Cebria Outlow – 7
  • Assists: Cebria Outlow – 7
  • Steals: Tia Wooten - 4
• There were five ties and five lead changes in the game.
• TSU had a 33-8 advantage in bench points.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After falling behind 6-0, TSU regrouped and scored seven straight to take the lead.
• ­­Eastern Illinois answered with a 9-0 run to move back in front and led, 22-15, at the end of the first quarter.
• TSU was trailing, 30-23, in the third period when a bucket by Taylor Roberts sparked a 10-0 run that gave TSU a 33-30 advantage.
• The score was 37-35 in favor of the Lady Tigers at halftime.
• Following a fiercely contested third period, the score was tied 51-51 heading into the final stanza.
• The score went back and forth and TSU had a slight, 60-58, lead with 4:52 left to play.
• With 2:31 on the clock, Lauren Elliott drained a three-pointer to give TSU a 66-59 lead.
• EIU answered but Cebria Outlow found Taylor Roberts to give the Lady Tigers a 68-61 cushion.
• TSU with without a bucket over the next several possessions and EIU closed to within two with 13.7 seconds remaining.
• Tia Wooten was fouled and made both to give the Lady Tigers a 70-66 edge with 8.8 seconds remaining.
• EIU's next shot attempt was off the mark.

GAME NOTES

• Taylor Roberts scored in double-digits for the fourth consecutive game.
• Tia Wooten matched her season-high with 22 points.
• Cebria Outlow dished out a season-high seven assists.

UP NEXT

• TSU will hit the road for the final two games of the regular season starting with a Thursday matchup at Southeast Missouri.

 #BigBlueRising