CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — Somah Kamara collected 22 points to help lead the Tennessee State women's basketball team over SEMO 70-62 on Saturday.

The Tigers (6-16, 2-10 OVC) had two players score in double figures, led by Kamara, who had 22 points, four assists and two steals. Saniah Parker added 15 points and four assists and Lyric Cole added nine points, eight rebounds and three steals.

Tennessee State utilized excellent ball movement in Saturday's game, piling up 19 assists on 26 made field goals. Individually, XaiOnna Whitfield lent a helping hand the most for the Tigers with six assists.

Tennessee State's defense held Southeast Missouri State to only 33.3 percent shooting from the field, including 25 percent from beyond the arc. The Tigers also limited Zoe Best to 2-of-12 shooting and seven points in the game.

How It Happened

After jumping out to a 14-11 advantage, Tennessee State went on a 7-0 run with 2:27 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Kamara, to increase its lead to 21-11. The Tigers then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 21-13 advantage. Tennessee State capitalized on eight Southeast Missouri State turnovers in the period, turning them into 10 points on the other end of the floor.

Tennessee State kept its first quarter lead intact before going on an 8-0 run starting at the 9:12 mark in the second period, highlighted by a three from Kamara, to increase its lead to 29-16. The Redhawks cut into that lead, but the Tigers still enjoyed a 36-32 advantage heading into halftime. Tennessee State was strong from deep in the period, knocking down three three-point shots to account for nine of its 15 points.

Following intermission, Tennessee State continued to expand its advantage, pushing it to 44-38 before going on a 10-0 run, punctuated by a three from Xaionna Whitfield, to expand its lead further to 54-38 with 2:44 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Redhawks had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Tigers still entered the fourth quarter with a 54-44 edge. Tennessee State knocked down four three-pointers in the quarter to score 12 of its 18 total points.

The Tigers then held on for the victory in the fourth quarter. Tennessee State pulled down two offensive rebounds to score four second chance points out of 16 total in the period

Game Notes
» Tennessee State lit it up from beyond the arc, knocking down nine treys in the game.
» The Tigers held the Redhawks to only 33.3 percent shooting from the field.
» The Tigers never trailed after taking a 21-13 first quarter lead.
» The Tigers shared the ball well, recording an assist on 73 percent of made baskets.
» The Tennessee State defense forced 20 turnovers.
» Somah Kamara led the Tigers with a game-high 22 points.
» Tennessee State got a team-high eight rebounds from Lyric Cole.