NASHVILLE — The Tennessee State women's basketball team had 16 fewer turnovers than Eastern Illinois, but fell 67-54 to the Panthers at home Saturday.
The Tigers (4-14, 0-8 OVC) had two players score in double figures, led by Lyric Cole, who recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Saniah Parker tacked on 11 points, four assists, three steals and two blocks and Somah Kamara added nine points and five steals.
Led by Cole's eight offensive rebounds, Tennessee State did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 14 boards that resulted in 16 second chance points.
Tennessee State forced 30 Eastern Illinois turnovers while committing 14 themselves in Saturday's game. The Tigers turned those takeaways into 19 points on the other end of the floor. Kamara's five steals led the way for Tennessee State.
How It Happened
Tennessee State struggled out of the gate, falling behind 21-14 at the end of the first quarter.
The Tigers continued to lose ground in the second quarter and faced a 35-26 halftime deficit.
Following halftime, Tennessee State kept the Panthers from growing their lead before going on a 6-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Kamara, to trim its deficit to 44-41 with 2:50 to go in the third. Eastern Illinois countered and stretched its lead to 54-41 heading into the fourth. Tennessee State played well near the basket, scoring eight of its 15 points in the paint.
Tennessee State could not pull any closer in the fourth, losing by a final of 67-54. Tennessee State took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring eight of its 13 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» Lyric Cole notched a double-double for the Tigers with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
» The Tigers dominated the turnover battle, forcing 30 Eastern Illinois giveaways while committing only 14.
» The Tennessee State defense forced 30 turnovers.
» Tennessee State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 14 offensive boards in the game.
» Lyric Cole led the Tigers with 12 points.
» Tennessee State got a team-high 10 rebounds from Lyric Cole.
