NASHVILLE - The Tennessee State women's basketball team busted open a 46-46 tie to end the third quarter and defeated the Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles 65-58 at home Saturday. USI came into Saturday's contest as the only undefeated team in the OVC.
The Tigers (7-13, 4-6) had four players score in double figures, led by Sanaa' St. Andre, who had 18 points. Eboni Williams added 14 points and Caitlin Anderson helped out with 11 points.
Tennessee State forced 24 Southern Indiana turnovers while committing 18 themselves in Saturday's game. The Tigers turned those takeaways into 20 points on the offensive end of the floor. Lyric Cole led the way individually with two steals.
How It Happened
After falling behind 14-10, Tennessee State went on a 9-0 run with 2:00 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Zyion Shannon, to take a 19-14 lead, a score that would hold for the rest of the period. Tennessee State capitalized on nine Southern Indiana turnovers in the period, turning them into nine points on the other end of the floor.
Southern Indiana rallied to take a 26-21 lead before Tennessee State went on a 7-0 run starting at the 2:29 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from St. Andre, to take a 28-26 lead. The Tigers proceeded to tack on one point to that lead and enjoyed a 31-28 advantage heading into halftime. Tennessee State was strong from deep in the period, knocking down two three-point shots to account for six of its 12 points.
Southern Indiana then took a 46-41 lead following intermission before Tennessee State went on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Anderson, to tie things up at 46 with 28 seconds to go in the third, a score which remained until the end of the third quarter. Tennessee State knocked down two three-pointers in the quarter to score six of its 15 total points.
Tennessee State then grabbed a 59-58 lead before going on a 6-0 run to grow its advantage to 65-58 with six seconds to go in the contest, a score which would hold for the rest of the game. Tennessee State got a boost from its bench in the period, with non-starters scoring six of its 19 total points.
Game Notes
» The Tigers outscored Southern Indiana 12-19 in the fourth quarter to break a 46-46 third quarter tie.
» The Tigers shot well from three point range, knocking down seven of 17 long range attempts.
» The Tennessee State defense forced 24 turnovers.
» Sanaa' St. Andre led the Tigers with a game-high 18 points.
» Tennessee State got a team-high six rebounds from Lyric Cole.
Next Up
The Lady Tigers will be back in action next Thursday at Lindenwood.
