NASHVILLE – The Tennessee State women's basketball team opened up Ohio Valley Conference play hosting UT Martin. After a hard-fought battle, the Lady Tigers fell to the Skyhawks, 79-86. After this, TSU falls to 1-9 on the season, and 0-1 in the OVC.

From the opening tip, the Lady Tigers played with energy and determination. Tennessee State connected on 50 percent of its three-point attempts (8-of-16), igniting the crowd and keeping the game tight throughout. The scoring attack was balanced and relentless, with three Lady Tigers finishing in double figures — a testament to TSU's team depth and offensive execution.

Erin Martin stood out in all facets of the game, leading the team with 25 points and dominating on the glass with 11 rebounds for a double-double. She was especially impactful on the offensive end, pulling down five offensive rebounds, giving TSU vital second-chance opportunities that helped keep the lead for much of the night.

Off the bench, Sadie Sanchez delivered 15 points and Kiki Roberts added 13 points, including timely buckets that kept the Lady Tigers within striking distance. Roberts' defensive instincts were also on full display — she finished with three steals, helping TSU force a season-high 20 turnovers from UT Martin and converting those takeaways into 16 points.

How It Happened

Tennessee State jumped out with confidence, building a 20-13 lead after the first quarter and riding strong contributions from its bench — non-starters accounted for 15 of the team's 20 first-quarter points. TSU maintained its edge into halftime, holding a 35-34 lead while turning pressure into points with multiple forced turnovers.

After the break, the Lady Tigers continued to dictate the pace, heading into the fourth quarter up 57-52 thanks to aggressive defense and productive offense. Even as UT Martin mounted a comeback in the final frame, Tennessee State stayed competitive — hitting three deep shots in the fourth quarter for nine of the team's 22 points in the period.

Though the Skyhawks closed the game on a higher run, the Lady Tigers left the floor having shown significant growth — particularly in clean shooting, hustle on the boards, and bench scoring.

Standout Performances & Notes

• Erin Martin — Double-double: 25 points, 11 rebounds, engine of the TSU offense and glass presence.

• Bench production — TSU's reserves combined for 45 points, fueling multiple momentum swings.

• Three-point success — The Lady Tigers were 8-of-16 from deep, keeping pressure on the Skyhawks all night.

• Turnovers converted — TSU forced 20 UTM miscues and turned those into 16 points.

• Competitive to the end — Tennessee State knocked down timely shots in every quarter and stayed in it until the final minute.

Looking Ahead

The Lady Tigers don't have long to regroup — TSU returns to action Saturday, Dec. 20th at 1:00 p.m. when they host Southeast Missouri State (SEMO). With the offensive confidence shown Thursday — especially from deep and off the bench — the Lady Tigers will aim to carry that momentum forward and notch a win in their next outing.