NASHVILLE- Tatyana Davis scored 20 points and Saniah Parker added 11 points off the bench, but it was not enough as the Tennessee State Lady Tigers (2-2) fell to the Chattanooga Mocs 63-57 in non-conference play from Gentry Center on Wednesday evening.
TSU started the game leading 14-6 on Davis' second three-point basket of the first quarter. After the Lady Tigers stretched the lead to eight on a steal and basket by Parker followed by another steal and two Parker free throws, the Mocs caught fire. Fueled by two three-pointers by Addie Grace Porter (10 points) and Destiny McClendon (12 points) and Karsen Murphy, Chattanooga outscored TSU 16-6 the rest of the quarter to go up 34-24 at the half.
Two three-point baskets by Dena Jarrells (14 points) kept the Moc after the break momentum going 44-30 at the media break. The Tigers then shut out the Mocs the rest of the quarter and cut the lead to 44-36. TSU's trapping defense gave Chattanooga problems as they forced bad shots.
A questionable block call on Chatt's Abbey Cornelius (13 points and 16 rebounds) and a three-point field goal by Davis gave the Lady Tigers life. Three more Chatt turnovers and baskets allowed TSU to tie the game at 44 as they went on a 14-0 run. The Mocs then took advantage going on a 6-0 run to go up 50-44. Parker stopped the run with a three-pointer basket from the lead wing. After both teams traded points, Parker got a steal and a driving layup to cut the score to 56-54 with 1:06 left.
After a TSU timeout, a Sierra McCullough steal gave the Tigers a chance at the tie. Davis was fouled and split the two free throws. The Mocs' Jarrells was fouled but had to come out of the game because of an injury. Murphy split the two free throws to make the lead two points. Davis went for the lead but her three point try from the top of the key missed. Chattanooga finished the game off going 6 for 6 from the free throw line.
Dominique Claytor led the Lady Tigers in rebounds with 10.
The Tigers will sit idle until next Tuesday when they visit North Alabama.
