Title image via Tennessee State Basketball
Courtesy of Tennessee State Athletics
The Tennessee State women’s basketball team fell to the SIUE 76-70 in overtime on Thursday at the Gentry Center.
The Tigers (4-13, 0-7 OVC) had three players score in double figures, led by Aaniya Webb, who put together a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds. XaiOnna Whitfield tacked on 16 points and two steals off of the bench and Somah Kamara helped out with 14 points.
Led by Lyric Cole’s four offensive rebounds, Tennessee State did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 19 boards that resulted in 14 second chance points.
The Tennessee State defense was effective at taking away the basketball in Thursday’s game, forcing 20 SIU-Edwardsville turnovers while committing 19. Those takeaways turned into 21 points on the offensive end of the floor. Saniah Parker’s five steals led the way individually for the Tigers.
How It Happened
After falling behind 10-8, Tennessee State went on a 5-0 run with 2:25 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Xaionna Whitfield, to take a 13-10 lead. The Tigers then maintained that lead and entered the quarter break with a 15-12 advantage. Tennessee State did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring eight of its 15 points close to the basket.
The Tigers could not maintain their lead in the second quarter and entered halftime trailing 31-25.
After intermission, Tennessee State cut its deficit to 34-29 before going on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Cole, to tie things up at 34 with 7:17 to go in the third. The Tigers could not advance their rally further as the Cougars took a 46-44 lead into the fourth quarter. Tennessee State played well near the basket, scoring 10 of its 19 points in the paint.
Tennessee State then came back to even it up at 50-50 before going on a 7-0 run to seize a 57-50 lead with 4:27 to go in the fourth. The Cougars then fought back to even things up at 66-66 and send the game to overtime. Tennessee State took advantage of four SIUE turnovers in the quarter, scoring seven points off of those takeaways.
SIUE then took control in overtime and won 76-70.
Game Notes
» Aaniya Webb notched an impressive double-double for the Tigers with 20 points and 10 rebounds.
» The Tigers outscored SIU-Edwardsville 20-22 in the fourth quarter force overtime.
» Tennessee State rallied from a six-point 31-25 halftime deficit to force overtime before ultimately coming up short.
» The Tigers held the Cougars to only 38.6 percent shooting from the field.
» The Tennessee State defense forced 20 turnovers.
» Tennessee State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 19 offensive boards in the game.
» Aaniya Webb led the Tigers with 20 points.
» Three players reached double figures in rebounds for Tennessee State. Parker grabbed 11 rebounds, Lyric Cole added 10, and Aaniya Webb tacked on 10.
