NASHVILLE - The Tennessee State women's basketball team went into the half tied with Omaha 33-33, but took control in the second half to beat the Mavericks 74-72 at home Sunday.
The Lady Tigers (3-3) had two players score in double figures, led by Erica Haynes-Overton, who had 32 points and five steals. Gia Adams added 16 points and Sierra McCullough added six points, six rebounds, three steals and two blocks.
Lyric Cole pulled down three offensive rebounds to lead an offense that racked up second chance opportunities for Tennessee State, grabbing 12 boards and turning them into 13 second chance points.
Tennessee State forced 27 Omaha turnovers while committing 18 themselves in Sunday's game. The Lady Tigers turned those takeaways into 33 points on the other end of the floor. Haynes-Overton's five steals led the way for Tennessee State.
How It Happened
After falling behind 18-16, Tennessee State went on a 7-0 run with 1:15 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Haynes-Overton, to take a 23-18 lead. The Lady Tigers then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 23-21 advantage. Tennessee State did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 12 of its 23 points close to the basket.
The Lady Tigers surrendered their lead in the second quarter and entered halftime with the score tied 33-33. Tennessee State dominated in the paint, scoring six of its 10 points close to the basket.
After intermission, Omaha snatched a 52-48 lead before Tennessee State answered back by going on an 8-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Haynes-Overton, to grab a 56-52 lead with 16 seconds to go in the third, a score which remained until the end of the third quarter. Tennessee State played well near the basket, scoring 14 of its 23 points in the paint.
The Lady Tigers then held on for the victory in the fourth quarter. Tennessee State took advantage of five Omaha turnovers in the quarter, scoring seven points off of those takeaways.
Game Notes
» Erica Haynes-Overton and Gia Adams carried the load for the Lady Tigers, accounting for 65 percent their points.
» The Lady Tigers turned 27 turnovers into 33 points on the offensive end.
» The Tennessee State defense forced 27 turnovers.
» Tennessee State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 12 offensive boards in the game.
» Erica Haynes-Overton led the Lady Tigers with a game-high 32 points.
» Tennessee State got a team-high six rebounds from Sierra McCullough.
TSU will be back in action next Saturday as they are set to take on Lipscomb at home. Game time has yet to be announced.
