NASHVILLE — The Tennessee State women's basketball team went into the half leading Tennessee Tech 33-30, but could not hang on in the second half and fell 71-64 to the Golden Eagles at the Gentry Center on Thursday.
The Tigers (5-15, 1-9 OVC) had four players score in double figures, led by Lyric Cole, who had 11 points and eight rebounds. Sanaa' St. Andre added 11 points from the bench and Erin Martin chipped in as well with 10 points from the bench.
Led by Cole's three offensive rebounds, Tennessee State did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 10 boards that resulted in eight second chance points.
The Tennessee State defense was a problem in Thursday's game, forcing 19 Tennessee Tech turnovers. Those takeaways turned into 22 points on the other end of the floor. Saniah Parker's four steals led the way individually for the Tigers.
How It Happened
After playing to an 8-8 tie early in the game, Tennessee State went on a 6-0 run with 4:16 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Xaionna Whitfield, to take a 14-8 lead. The Tigers then maintained that lead and entered the quarter break with an 18-12 advantage. Tennessee State did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 16 of its 18 points close to the basket.
Tennessee State built that first quarter lead to 22-14 before going on a 5-0 run starting at the 9:07 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Martin, to increase its lead to 27-14. The Golden Eagles cut into that lead, but the Tigers still enjoyed a 33-30 advantage heading into halftime. Tennessee State dominated in the paint, scoring 10 of its 15 points close to the basket.
Tennessee State then lost its advantage in the third quarter and trailed the Golden Eagles 49-42 entering the fourth. Tennessee State played well near the basket, scoring six of its nine points in the paint.
Tennessee State came out of the third quarter break clicking on all cylinders, going on a 5-0 run to shrink the deficit to 49-47 with 7:20 to go in the contest. Tennessee Tech responded and outscored the Tigers the rest of the way, ending the game with a final score of 71-64. Tennessee State took advantage of six Tennessee Tech turnovers in the quarter, scoring 10 points off of those takeaways.
Game Notes
» The Tennessee State bench made an impact by adding 32 points to its scoring output.
» Sanaa' St. Andre and Erin Martin came off the bench to score 11 and 10 points, respectively.
» The Tennessee State defense forced 19 turnovers.
» Tennessee State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 10 offensive boards in the game.
» Lyric Cole and Sanaa' St. Andre led the Tigers with 11 points apiece.
» Tennessee State got a team-high eight rebounds from Lyric Cole.
