Sunday, December 11, 2016

TSU Lady Tigers Down Lipscomb in Overtime, 77-71

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- The Tennessee State University women’s basketball team rallied from a fourth quarter deficit to defeat Lipscomb in overtime, 77-71, Sunday afternoon in Allen Arena.

TSU (2-5) trailed by nearly double-digits in the fourth quarter when Olivia Jones scored six of the team’s next eight points to get the Lady Tigers back into the game.

Five Lady Tigers scored in double-digits led by I’mani Davis’ 16 points. Olivia Jones had 15 points and six rebounds in her debut while Diamond Beatty (13), Jayda Johnson (10) and Maxine Beard (10) also reached double-figures.

Lipscomb fell to 1-9 on the season.



After Lipscomb opened the game with a three-pointer, Tennessee State used a 12-2 run to grab a 12-5 lead before the first media timeout. Out of the break, however, the Lady Bisons outscored the Lady Tigers, 9-2, to tie the game up at 14-all heading into the second quarter.

The teams traded buckets in the second stanza and played to a 23-23 deadlock with 5:54 on the clock. TSU reclaimed the advantage after back-to-back triples from Olivia Jones and Diamond Beatty sparked an 8-0 run.

TSU shot 62.5 percent from three-point range in the first half and led 31-27 at the break.

The teams continued to trade buckets in the second half, as the game was knotted at 37-all at the 3:37 mark. TSU went up, 41-39, following a steal and break-away lay-up by Jayda Johnson but LU answered with a triple on the next possession to take the lead. TSU trailed 46-43 at the end of the quarter.

Lipscomb was the aggressor in the fourth quarter and used consecutive three-pointers to go up, 52-43. The Lady Bisons maintained at least a six point cushion over the next several minutes.

Following the final media timeout, TSU trailed 54-48.

With the Lady Tigers down, Olivia Jones got going. She scored six straight points to pull TSU within one, 57-56 with 2:03 remaining.

TSU took the lead when I’mani Davis used a crafty move to score on the next play but Lipscomb stayed within striking distance and pulled even with just over 30 seconds remaining.

The Lady Tigers had the ball for the final possession of the game but both shot attempts were off the mark.

In the extra period, TSU moved ahead, 67-64, when Olivia Jones connected in the paint with just over two minutes left to play.

With TSU leading, 69-65, Diamond Beatty came up with a timely steal to give the possession back to the Lady Tigers with 38 seconds remaining. Lipscomb was forced to foul and Maxine Beard stepped up and made both freebies.

Over the next three possessions, the Lady Tigers made six more free-throws to seal the win.

TSU shot 48.4 percent (30-of-62) from the field, including 38.9 percent (7-of-18) percent from three-point range.

Tennessee State returns to action on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at home versus Fisk. Game time is set for 5:30 p.m. in the Gentry Center.

BOX SCORE

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

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