title image via TSU Athletics
Sanaa’ St. Andre’s 37 points were not enough, as the Tigers of Tennessee State came up short, falling 86-81 to Tennessee Tech 86-81 Thursday night at the Gentry Center.
The teams played to a 16-16 stalemate in the first quarter. Although the Tigers shot a very efficient 7-12 (58.3%) in the second quarter, the Eagles were even more locked in, shooting a scorching 11-16 ( 68.8%) in outscoring TSU 28-22 to take a 44-38 lead into halftime.
Very little changed in the third quarter, with Tennessee Tech continuing their hot shooting at 60% (9-15) and extending their lead to as much as 19 points in the frame. TSU was unable to keep pace, despite another quarter of over 50% shooting from the floor at 55%, and were outscored 29-26 and found themselves in a 9-point hole at 73-64 as the game entered its final frame.
Tennessee State fell behind by as much as 10 points on Reghan Grimes’ layup that made the score 77-67 at the 6:25 mark of the period. TSU clawed their way back in the game, trimming the Tech advantage to as little as three at 81-78 on a three-pointer from St. Andre with 1:15 left in the contest. A second three from St. Andre cut it to 85-81 in the waning seconds, while a Grimes free throw brought the game to its final count of 86-81.
Reghan Grimes led the victorious Eagles with 31 points on 10-15 from the field while adding 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Maaliya Owens put 21 points 2 rebounds and 3 assists on an eficient 8-13 shooting. Yaubryon Chambers was the Eagles’ other double-figure scorer, chipping in 12 points.
Sanaa’ St. Andre led all scorers, and two TSU players in double figures with 37 points on 16-27 shooting, including 4-5 from downtown. Saniah Parker scored 12 points and grabbed 6 boards.
Up next for the Lady Tigers ( 5-11, 2-4) is playing host to Western Illinois on January 20.
