MOREHEAD, Ky. - The Tennessee State women's basketball team kept Morehead State to just 16 percent from deep in a 4-for-25 shooting performance on the way to a 61-49 victory against the Eagles on the road Thursday.
The Lady Tigers (10-15, 5-9) had two players score in double figures, led by Erica Haynes-Overton, who had 15 points and two steals. Gia Adams tacked on 10 points, four assists, and two steals, while Saniah Parker added seven points, seven rebounds, four assists, three steals, and two blocks.
Tennessee State out-rebounded Morehead State 49-43 in Thursday's game, led by nine boards from Lyric Cole. The Lady Tigers collected 17 offensive rebounds and scored 10 second-chance points.
The Tennessee State defense held Morehead State shooters to just 30.2 percent from the field, including 16 percent from three-point range.
How It Happened
Tennessee State started out the scoring by going on a 6-0 run, culminating in a bucket from Kianni Westbrook, to take an early lead with 7:50 left in the first quarter. The Lady Tigers then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter-break with a 9-8 advantage. Tennessee State did most of its first-quarter damage in the paint, scoring six of its nine points close to the basket.
Tennessee State built that first-quarter lead to 21-19 before going on a 5-0 run starting at the 1:22 mark in the second period, highlighted by a three from Haynes-Overton, to increase its lead to 26-19. The Eagles cut into that lead, but the Lady Tigers still enjoyed a 26-22 advantage heading into halftime. Tennessee State dominated in the paint, scoring 10 of its 17 points close to the basket.
Tennessee State continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 10-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Parker, to expand its lead further to 36-24 with 4:54 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Eagles had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Lady Tigers still entered the fourth quarter with a 45-34 edge. Tennessee State played well near the basket, scoring 14 of its 19 points in the paint.
The Lady Tigers coasted to the win from there, increasing their margin of victory by outscoring the Eagles 16-15 in the fourth quarter. Tennessee State took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 12 of its 16 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» The Lady Tigers held the Eagles to only 30.2 percent shooting from the field.
» The Lady Tigers never trailed after taking a 9-8 first quarter lead.
» Tennessee State had a great day defensively, holding Morehead State to 16 percent from beyond the arc on 25 attempts.
» Tennessee State had a 49-43 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Tennessee State defense forced 20 turnovers.
» The Lady Tigers were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, tallying nine blocks as a team.
» Tennessee State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 17 offensive boards in the game.
» Erica Haynes-Overton led the Lady Tigers with 15 points.
» Tennessee State got a game-high nine rebounds from Lyric Cole.
Up Next
TSU will be back in action on Saturday afternoon as they will return to the Gentry Center to host Southern Illinois Edwardsville. Saturday's matchup against SIUE will serve as the yearly pink out game for the Lady Tigers to honor and remember those fighting breast cancer. Tip-off is set for 1:00 p.m.
