TSU Knocks Off Division Leader EKU on Kids Day

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  --  In front of a crowd of nearly 2,000 kids, the Tennessee State University women’s basketball team defeated OVC East Division leader Eastern Kentucky, 78-63, Monday afternoon on Metro Schools Day.

TSU (8-13, 5-3 OVC) won its second straight while handing EKU (11-7, 5-2) only its second league loss of the season.

 

Chelsea Hudson recorded her seventh double-double of the year, third consecutive, with 14 points and 14 rebounds. Alana Morris scored in double-figures for the fourth straight game with 13 points while Briana Morrow (12) and Rachel Allen (10) also finished in double-digits. Allen also recorded five assists and two steals in the contest.

 

Eastern Kentucky was led in scoring by Marie Carpenter’s 18 points. Miranda Maples added 12 while Michaela Hunter scored 11. Shelly Harper chipped 10 points and eight rebounds.
 

Though it moved at a somewhat slow pace, TSU controlled the tempo early on in the first half. At the 10:59 mark, Chelsea Hudson scored to put the Lady Tigers on top, 17-11, before TSU outscored EKU, 17-9, the final eight minutes of the stanza.

 

The home team led by as many as 15 before going into the break with a, 39-26, advantage.

Eastern Kentucky posted eight straight points to open the second half and cut the deficit down to just three points, 43-40, behind a 12-4 run.

 

The Lady Tigers, however, regained their composure and scored the next 12 points to go ahead, 55-40. During TSU’s scoring rally, EKU went 0-of-6 from the field and committed three turnovers.

 

The Lady Colonels closed the gap to 13 points on a jumper by Carpenter but the Lady Tigers maintained control and continued to build on the lead.

 

With about five minutes remaining, Brianna Lawrence connected a couple of free-throws that made the score, 65-46, in favor of the Lady Tigers.

 

TSU grabbed its largest lead, 72-51, before claiming the victory.

 

Tennessee State shot 46.3 percent (25-of-54) from the field while only making, 3-of-15 from three-point range. TSU made 25-of-38 from the free-throw line.

 

Eastern Kentucky shot 33.8 percent (22-of-65) from the field while going 5-of-13 (38.5 percent) from beyond the arc. The Lady Colonels made 14-of-24 from the charity stripe.

 

Tennessee State returns to action on Monday, February 3 at Tennessee Tech. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Eblen Center.

 

FINAL STATS

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION