DAYTON — The Tennessee State women's basketball team faced a tough battle on Friday morning, falling 77-65 to Wright State at the Nutter Center.
The Tigers (2-2) had three players score in double figures, led by Sanaa' St. Andre, who had 15 points, six rebounds, four assists and six steals. Lyric Cole added 13 points and six rebounds and Saniah Parker helped out with 13 points and six rebounds off of the bench.
Led by Cole's four offensive rebounds, Tennessee State did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 14 boards that resulted in 12 second chance points.
The Tennessee State defense was effective at taking away the basketball in Friday's game, forcing 22 Wright State turnovers while committing 11. Those takeaways turned into 20 points on the other end of the floor. St. Andre's six steals led the way individually for the Tigers.
How It Happened
Tennessee State kept it close in the first quarter, but entered the second frame down 21-18.
The Tigers continued to lose ground in the second quarter and faced a 39-30 halftime deficit.
Wright State continued to increase its lead after halftime, building a 54-39 advantage before Tennessee State went on a 6-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Parker, to trim its deficit to 54-45 with 54 seconds to go in the third. The Tigers were unable to cut further into the deficit, but did not cede ground to Wright State either and entered the fourth quarter trailing 56-47. Tennessee State played well near the basket, scoring 10 of its 17 points in the paint.
Tennessee State could not pull any closer in the fourth, losing by a final of 77-65. Tennessee State got a boost from its bench in the period, with non-starters scoring five of its 18 total points.
Game Notes
» The Tennessee State bench came alive by scoring 36 points to its scoring output.
» Sanaa' St. Andre and Saniah Parker came off the bench to score 15 and 13 points, respectively.
» The Tigers dominated the turnover battle, forcing 22 Wright State giveaways while committing only 11.
» The Tennessee State defense forced 22 turnovers.
» Tennessee State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 14 offensive boards in the game.
» Sanaa' St. Andre led the Tigers with 15 points.
» Tennessee State got six rebounds from both Lyric Cole and Sanaa' St. Andre.
