TSU Lady Tigers Take First OVC Victory in 76-66 Win Over Tennessee Tech

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- FINAL BOX | RADIO CALLS

Final Box: Tennessee State 76 – Tennessee Tech 66

Records: TSU (3-10, 1-3 OVC) – Tennessee Tech (3-12, 0-4 OVC) 

Venue: Gentry Center

Location: Nashville, Tenn.

NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee State University women’s basketball team won its first conference game of the season with a, 76-66, victory over Tennessee Tech Saturday afternoon in the Gentry Center.

After pulling ahead early in the first period, Tennessee State (3-10, 1-3 OVC) led Tennessee Tech (3-12, 0-4 OVC) the remainder of the game, moving ahead by as much as 12.

Tia Wooten put up 26 points, leading the Lady Tiger offense, and took down 8 rebounds. Maxine Beard facilitated the offense with six assists, while Kaliya Griffin recorded three steals. Jaden Wrightsell also scored in double-digits with 12 points.

Tennessee Tech had four players score in double-digits led by Yaktavia Hickson's 14 points. Mackenzie Coleman (13), Jordan Brock (12), and Asia Harper (11) also notched double-figures for the Golden Eagles.

TSU outscored Tennessee Tech three-of-the-four periods, but the Golden Eagles beat Big Blue on the glass, out-rebounding the Lady Tigers 32-29.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• TSU Leaders
  • Points: Tia Wooten - 26
  • Rebounds: Tia Wooten – 8
  • Assists: Maxine Beard - 6
  • Steals: Kaliya Griffin - 3
• The Lady Tigers shot 100 percent from three-point range the entire first half.
• The Lady Tigers held the advantage in bench points, 19-7.
• The Lady Tigers shot 77.8 percent from the free-throw line.
• TSU was out rebounded, 31-29.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• TSU ended the first period up by five after Kaliya Griffin shot 100 percent from the floor leading the Lady Tigers offense with 7 points.
• Jaden Wrightsell came up with six points in the second period to help Big Blue maintain a lead over the Golden Eagles by halftime.
• Tia Wooten showed up early in the second half producing two back-to-back steals resulting in the 10th TSU point off of a turnover.
• Tennessee Tech outscored the Lady Tigers 18-17 in the second.
• Late in the third, TSU went 8-0 over a span of two minutes.
• TSU created as much as a 12-point advantage in the third period – the largest in the game.
• With an eight-point deficit and only 1:15 on the clock, Tennessee Tech began to foul putting Tia Wooten and Taylor Roberts, two-of-the-three Lady Tigers ranked in the conference’s top 10 in free-throw percentage.

GAME NOTES

• TSU won its first conference game of the season versus Tennessee Tech
• The 76-66 victory is the first OVC win for Head Coach Jessica Kern
• Tennessee Tech leads the series 54-13
• Tia Wooten has scored in double digits in all 13 games this season, and 20+ points in 9-of-13 games.
• Jaden Wrightsell scored in double figures for the second time this year
• TSU led at halftime for just the third time this season
• The Lady Tigers are 3-0 this year when leading at the half
• The first quarter lead was the first for the Lady Tigers since Dec. 15 versus Lipscomb

QUOTES

Head Coach Jessica Kern

I’m very impressed with the way the girls came out today. Our theme for this game was bend but don’t break and I think we showed that tonight. There were times when we’d get (the lead) up to ten, then it would get down to two. Then we’d fluctuate back and forth but no one player threw in the towel.

- Overall thoughts on the game

Our Midwest kids are really excited because they’ve got a lot of people coming to support them. We know its going to be a dog fight from here on out. The reality is, we like our chances in conference play. Our goal obviously is to be in Evansville. We want to keep swinging. I don’t think 1-3 is indicative of who we are and what we’ve done but its nice we’re healthy. For the first time all year long, we’re healthy and we want to keep it going. So stealing some on the road is always great.

- On the next two road games

UP NEXT

• TSU heads to Illinois for a series of games beginning Thursday, Jan. 11 agasint Eastern Illinois at 8:30 p.m., followed by SIU Edwardsville Saturday Jan. 13 at 2 p.m.

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY TIGERS ATHLETIC MEDIA COMMUNICATION