SAINT CHARLES, Mo. - The Tennessee State women's basketball team fell to the Lindenwood Lions 81-73 in two overtimes on the road Thursday. This was the Lady Tigers' first double-OT game since January 29, 2011.
The Tigers (7-14, 4-7) had two players score in double figures, led by Zyion Shannon, who had a career-high 32 points. Lyric Cole tacked on a double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds and Saniah Parker added seven points and seven rebounds.
Led by Cole's nine offensive rebounds, Tennessee State did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 20 boards that resulted in 16 second chance points.
The Tennessee State defense was a problem in Thursday's game, forcing 22 Lindenwood (MO) turnovers. Those takeaways turned into 24 points on the other end of the floor. Eboni Williams led the way individually for the Tigers with three steals.
How It Happened
Tennessee State started out the scoring by going on a 10-0 run, culminating in a bucket from Caitlin Anderson, to take an early lead with 3:03 left in the first quarter. The Tigers then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 10-8 advantage. Tennessee State did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring eight of its 10 points close to the basket.
Lindenwood (MO) rallied to take a 12-10 lead before Tennessee State went on an 8-0 run starting at the 8:24 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Shannon, to take an 18-12 lead. The Lions cut into that lead, but the Tigers still enjoyed a 25-20 advantage heading into halftime. Tennessee State forced six Lindenwood (MO) turnovers in the period and turned them into five points.
Tennessee State then lost its advantage in the third quarter and trailed the Lions 39-38 entering the fourth. Tennessee State played well near the basket, scoring 12 of its 13 points in the paint.
Lindenwood (MO) kept widening its lead in the fourth, constructing a 42-38 advantage before Tennessee State went on a 5-0 run to seize a 43-42 lead with 7:34 to go in the fourth. The Lions then fought back to even things up at 51-51 and send the game to overtime. Tennessee State took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring eight of its 13 points in the paint.
The Tigers took the game to a second overtime before Lindenwood (MO) ultimately prevailed by a final score of 81-73.
Game Notes
» Lyric Cole notched a double-double for the Tigers with 13 points and 14 rebounds.
» The Tigers outscored Lindenwood (MO) 12-13 in the fourth quarter force overtime.
» Zyion Shannon and Lyric Cole carried the load for the Tigers, accounting for 62 percent their points.
» The Tennessee State bench came alive by scoring 38 points to its scoring output.
» Tennessee State lost despite a 44-40 rebounding advantage.
» The Tennessee State defense forced 22 turnovers.
» Tennessee State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 20 offensive boards in the game.
» Zyion Shannon led the Tigers with a game-high 32 points.
» Tennessee State got a game-high 14 rebounds from Lyric Cole.
Next Up
The Lady Tigers will stay in Missouri for one more road game with SEMO on Saturday. Tip-off from Cape Girardeau is slated for 1:30 p.m.
