Tennessee State Women’s hoops season ends in OVC quarters

^{title image via Tennesseee State Basketball}

Courtesy of Tennessee State Athletics

48

Tennessee St. 11-19,7-11 OVC

60

Winner Eastern Ill. 15-17,11-7 OVC

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Tennessee State women’s basketball team held Eastern Illinois to just 19 percent from 3-point range in a 4-for-21 shooting performance, but fell 60-48 to the Panthers in the quarterfinals of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament at the Ford Center Thursday.

The Tigers (11-19) had two players score in double figures, led by Lyric Cole, who had 14 points and eight rebounds. Saniah Parker added 10 points, six rebounds, and three steals and Sanaa’ St. Andre added six points and five steals.

Cole pulled down six offensive rebounds to lead an offense that racked up second-chance opportunities for Tennessee State, grabbing 15 boards and turning them into 13 second-chance points.

Tennessee State forced 26 Eastern Illinois turnovers while committing 16 themselves in Thursday’s game. The Tigers turned those takeaways into 12 points on the offensive end of the floor. St. Andre’s five steals led the way for Tennessee State.

How It Happened

After falling behind 6-4, Tennessee State went on a 6-0 run with 4:56 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Caitlin Anderson, to take a 10-6 lead. The Tigers then maintained that lead and entered the quarter-break with a 12-8 advantage. Tennessee State did most of its first-quarter damage in the paint, scoring eight of its 12 points close to the basket.

Tennessee State kept its first-quarter lead intact before going on a 5-0 run starting at the 9:04 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from St. Andre, to increase its lead to 17-11. The Panthers cut into that lead, but the Tigers still enjoyed a 28-26 advantage heading into halftime. Tennessee State dominated in the paint, scoring eight of its 16 points close to the basket.

Tennessee State then lost its advantage in the third quarter and trailed the Panthers 44-42 entering the fourth. Tennessee State played well near the basket, scoring 10 of its 14 points in the paint.

Tennessee State could not pull any closer in the fourth, losing by a final of 60-48. Tennessee State took advantage of seven Eastern Illinois turnovers in the quarter, scoring six points off of those takeaways.

Game Notes

» Tennessee State played solid perimeter defense, holding Eastern Illinois to 19 percent from three-point land on 21 attempts.
» The Tigers dominated the turnover battle, forcing 26 Eastern Illinois giveaways while committing only 16.
» The Tennessee State defense forced 26 turnovers.
» Tennessee State cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 15 offensive boards in the game.
» Lyric Cole led the Tigers with 14 points.
» Tennessee State got a team-high eight rebounds from Lyric Cole.

Team Statistics