The no.1 defensive team in the Ohio Valley Conference, Eastern Illinois, held Tennessee State to sub 40% in three of four quarters as the Panthers handily defeated Tennessee State 69-49 Thursday night.
The Panthers controlled the first quarter, trailing in the period. Tennessee State was able to knot the game at 9 and 11 apiece but Eastern Illinois took a 17-15 lead heading into the second quarter.
The Lady Tigers continued to play uphill in the second, falling behind by as much as 7 points on two different occasions, at 23-16 and 26-19. Despite a second quarter of 40% or below shooting from the field, the Lady Tigers were able to trim the lead to a point when Saniah Parker’s three-pointer brought the score to 26-25 at the 4:20 mark. Four straight points from EIU put the Panthers up 30-25 with 2:35 left in the opening half. Aaliyah Webb’s jumper pulled the Lady Tigers to within 3 at 30-27 at the 1:49 mark and that’s where the score would be heading into the half.
Tennessee State tire the game at 31 on Lyric Cole’s layup and then 33 all on Webb’s basket at the 5:52 mark. However, the Tigers were unable to break through as a go-ahead layup was no good. Eastern Illinois was able to go on a 14-0 run to build a 47-33 lead; the Lady Tigers trimmed it down to single digits before Lalani Ellis’ jumper in the closing seconds put the Panthers up a 51-40 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
After the second of a pair of Erin Martin free throws brought the score to 51-41, a 12-2 spurt from EIU pushed the lead to 63-43, at the 4:50 mark, by far their biggest of the evening, and effectively ending the game.
Saniah Parker and Aaniya Webb were the only Lady Tigers in double figures, scoring 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Tiny Lewis led the victors with 21 points; Alex Rouse added 14 points and Lalani Ellis posted 10 points, adding 9 rebounds and 5 assists.
The loss drops the Lady Tigers to 7-18 overall and 3-12 within the OVC. The Lady Tigers continue their Illinois tour when they head to Edwardsville on Saturday to take on SIU Edwardsville. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 PM CST.
