WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – Somah Kamara scored a team-high 16 points, while Genesis Harris added 14 and LaKiara Alexander pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds as the Tennessee State women's basketball team fell 78-54 to William & Mary on Thursday evening at Kaplan Arena.
The Tigers (1-1) battled through a competitive opening half that featured eight lead changes, taking a two-point advantage late in the second quarter before the Tribe (2-0) pulled ahead in the second half.
Kamara finished 6-of-12 from the field, including two 3-pointers, while adding four rebounds and three steals. Harris provided a spark off the bench, connecting on four of six attempts from beyond the arc. Alexander recorded eight points, 11 rebounds, two assists and a block, while Jing Xuan Zheng contributed six points, six assists and five rebounds.
Tennessee State finished with 24 bench points, 15 offensive rebounds and 12 assists while forcing 14 William & Mary turnovers.
First Quarter
Tennessee State responded to an early 4-0 deficit when Addison Melton connected on a transition 3-pointer to put the Tigers on the board.
Kamara followed with a layup before adding a jumper to bring TSU within one at 8-7 with 3:03 remaining. Zheng then knocked down consecutive free throws to give the Tigers their first lead, 9-8, with 2:42 left in the period.
After William & Mary regained the advantage, Harris entered the scoring column with a 3-pointer off an assist from Zheng, pulling TSU within one at 13-12.
Alexander added a free throw in the closing seconds as Tennessee State entered the second quarter trailing just 15-13.
Second Quarter
The Tigers continued to challenge the Tribe throughout the second period, using perimeter shooting and defensive pressure to create multiple lead changes.
Harris connected on her second 3-pointer with 8:07 remaining, cutting the deficit to 17-16. Kamara followed with a jumper to put Tennessee State ahead 18-17.
After William & Mary briefly reclaimed the lead, Alexander converted a layup and the ensuing free throw to give TSU a 21-20 advantage with 6:09 remaining.
Harris delivered another big shot at the 4:22 mark, drilling her third 3-pointer of the half to push Tennessee State ahead 24-22.
Alexander added a basket in the final two minutes as the Tigers remained within striking distance, entering halftime trailing 30-26.
Tennessee State held William & Mary to 1-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc in the opening half, while Harris led the Tigers with nine points on three 3-pointers.
Third Quarter
Alexander opened Tennessee State's second-half scoring with a dunk at the 8:30 mark, bringing the Tigers within four at 32-28.
William & Mary responded with a scoring run, but Zheng answered with a layup off an assist from Alexander to keep TSU battling.
Melton added a basket in the paint, while Harris converted a pair of free throws and Icesis Thomas added another point from the line.
Despite Tennessee State's efforts, the Tribe used a 28-point third quarter to extend its advantage to 58-36 entering the final period.
Fourth Quarter
Tennessee State continued to compete in the fourth quarter, producing its highest-scoring period of the evening with 18 points.
Zheng opened the quarter with two free throws before Harris knocked down her fourth 3-pointer of the game at the 8:15 mark.
Kamara followed with a 3-pointer just 32 seconds later and connected again from beyond the arc with 6:36 remaining, giving the Tigers three triples in less than two minutes.
After an Akeera Sparks free throw and another point from Kamara at the line, Tennessee State continued to apply pressure defensively.
Kamara collected a steal with 5:11 remaining, leading to a three-point play by Nandinkhusel Nyamjav that trimmed the deficit to 65-52.
Kamara added a layup in the final three minutes, but William & Mary closed out the 78-54 decision.
By the Numbers
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16: Team-high points for Somah Kamara, who also recorded three steals.
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14: Points for Genesis Harris, who shot 4-of-6 from 3-point range.
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11: Rebounds for LaKiara Alexander, the highest total by any player in the game.
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6: Assists for Jing Xuan Zheng, who also collected five rebounds.
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24: Bench points for Tennessee State.
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15: Offensive rebounds collected by the Tigers.
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18: Fourth-quarter points, TSU's highest-scoring period.
Up Next
Tennessee State continues its nonconference schedule following Thursday's road contest at William & Mary. Additional schedule information is available at TSUTigers.com.
