Title image via Tennessee State Athletics
85
Winner WSU
80
TSU
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WSU | 19 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 85 |
| TSU | 24 | 21 | 11 | 24 | 80 |
After falling 69-64 in their season opener at Middle Tennessee State, the Tennessee State Lady Tigers looked to bounce back in their home opener against Wright State. Unfortunately for the Lady Tigers, the third quarter proved to be the decisive period, ultimately leading to their 85-80 defeat at the hands of the Raiders.
The first quarter was a back-and-forth affair that featured multiple ties and lead changes. Kamara Somah’s layup with 2:18 left in the frame put TSU up 18-17 and was the start of an 8-0 run that put the Lady Tigers up 24-17. Tennessee State would take a 24-19 lead into the second quarter. TSU would build as much as an 8-point advantage in the frame, but Wright State stayed within striking distance, closing two within a basket on multiple occasions- Lauren Scott’s jumper that made the score 30-28 at the 7:30 mark and Elaina Rager’s three-pointer that trimmed the lead to 41-39 with 1:45 left in the half. For the time being, the Lady Tigers were able to stave off Wright State, taking a 45-39 lead at the half.
Chloe Chard Peloquin’s three-pointer pulled the Raiders even at 50- all at the 5:08 mark and another three from Scott put Wright State back in front at 55-53, their first lead since 17-16 in the first quarter. Erin Martin’s connection from downtown put the Tigers back in front 53-50, but that reclamation of the lead was short-lived, as a pair of Olivia Brown free throws and another Lauren Scott three-pointer pushed Wright State back in front 55-53. The Raiders outscored the Tigers 7-2 over the remainder of the period, outscoring TSU 23-11 in the quarter, and took a 62-56 lead as the game entered its final stanza.
Tennessee State worked from underneath for the entirety of the fourth period, with WSU building as large as an 11-point lead. TSU drew as four points at 79-75, following Xai Whitfield’s steal and layup, but they were unable to close the gap any further, ultimately falling 5 points short 85-80.
Whitfield led four Lady Tigers in double figures with 18 points. Erin Martin recorded a double-double with 17 points and 10 boards. Somah Kamara put in 12 points, with Kiki Roberts adding 10 points.
Breezie Williams paced the Raiders, and all scorers with 27 points. Lauren Scott added 11 points, with Claire Henson and Rylee Sagester adding 10 points each.
Up next for the Lady Tigers (0-2. 0-0) is a trip to Fort Worth, TX on November 12 to take on TCU.
