Image via Tennessee State Athletics
In many ways, it was a strong performance for the Tennessee State Lady Tigers. TSU held Tennessee Tech to just 34.3 percent from the field, and just 22 percent from downtown, and outrebounded the Golden Eagles 43-38. However, 28 TSU turnovers, as well as giving up 21 offensive rebounds, proved to be too much to overcome, as the Lady Tigers fell to the Golden Eagles 69-63.
The first quarter was a tightly contested affair, with the largest lead either team enjoyed being worn Genesis Harris’ layup made the score 9-5 at the 5:12 mark. The quarter also saw 5 ties, inkling at 13 all to end the period.
Layups from Kiki Roberts and X we ai Whitfield gave the Lady Tigers a 17-13 lead early in the second quarter before TTU answered back with 4 points of their own to knot the game at 17. This was one of six ties in the frame. After another Roberts layup squared the game at 27, an Amaya Redd free throw and a Reghan Grimes three-pointer pushed the Golden Eagles out in front 31-27. Erin Martin’s jumper pulled the Lady Tigers to 31-29 as the game headed into halftime.
The second of a pair of Icesis Thomas free throws and Martin’s jump shot put TSU back in front 36-34 at the 7:52 mark of the third quarter. The contest would see ties at 37 and 38 apiece, respectively, before a 5-0 spurt pushed TTU in front 43-38. The Lady Tigers responded with a run of their own to knot the contest at 43, however six consecutive points from Tech, including a three as the third quarter’s time expired that made the score 49-43 as the game headed into its final frame.
The Lady Tigers played from underneath for the entirety of the fourth quarter, drawing as near as 3 points on multiple occasions, however each time, TTU responded, extending the lead back to multiple possessions. Despite their best efforts, Tennessee State could not get over the proverbial hump, and came up short, 69-63.
Xai Whitfield led two Lady Tigers in double figures with 16 points. Erin Martin added 15 points and also tied for a team high of 7 rebounds.
Reghan Hurts led the visitors with 14 points, Reghan Grimes added 11 points and LaReesha Cawthorn put in 10 points of her own.
The loss drops the Lady Tigers to 2-10 and 1-2 within the OVC. The Lady Tigers return to action for the first time in the New Year on January 3 when they hit the road to take on Little Rock. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 pm CST.
