Strong Second Half Propels TSU Lady Tigers to Victory Over Eagles

MOREHEAD, Kentucky -- The Tennessee State University women’s basketball team knocked down a season second-best 10 three-pointers in an, 81-74, victory over Morehead State Saturday night in Johnson Arena.

The win was TSU’s second straight victory and improved the Lady Tigers to 7-4 in the OVC (10-12 overall). Morehead State fell to 11-13 (7-4 OVC).

Brianna Lawrence led TSU with 22 points behind a stellar shooting performance. The junior went 8-of-14 from the field and 6-of-8 from three-point range. I’mani Davis also reached double-digits with 14 points while Chelsea Hudson added 12. Rachel Allen posted her second career double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Allen also only committed one turnover in the contest.

Morehead State had three players in double-figures led by Shay Steele’s 25 points. Almesha Jones scored 16 and Maiki Viela tallied 12.



Despite shooting 55.6 percent from three-point range through the first sixteen minutes of the game, TSU fell behind, 37-31 at the 3:34 mark. The Lady Tigers, however, used an 8-2 rally, capped by a Brianna Lawrence three-pointer to pull even, 39-39, just before the end of the half.

Lawrence christened the second stanza with a triple from the corner before an old fashioned three-point play by Jayda Johnson put the Lady Tigers on top, 45-40.

Morehead State battled from behind to reclaim the lead and the teams traded buckets. Both squads had played to a 54-54 tie at the 11:35 mark.

The rest of the contest was a fiercely contested battle as neither team would let up. TSU was holding on to a slight, 65-64, lead when Brianna Lawrence buried her fifth triple of the game to give the Lady Tigers a four-point cushion.

A few possessions later, Rachel Allen found Lawrence in the corner for another long range bomb. MSU answered with a score on its trip down the floor and forced a TSU turnover on the next play.

The Lady Tigers maintained their composure and made timely free-throws down the stretch to secure the win.

Tennessee State returns to action on Thursday, February 12 at Tennessee Tech. Game time is slated for 4:15 p.m. in the Eblen Center.

TSU vs. Morehead State Final Box

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION