NASHVILLE, TENN. — In a game that came down to the final seconds, the Tennessee State University women’s basketball team came away with a, 78-76, overtime win against Jacksonville State Saturday night in the Gentry Center.
Tennessee State (4-11, 1-1 OVC) overcame a double-digit deficit to pick up its first OVC win of the season and second straight victory at home.
For the first time this season, TSU had five players to score in double-figures led by Chelsea Hudson’s 30 points and eight rebounds. Jayda Johnson scored 11 while Rachel Allen, Brianna Lawrence and Alana Morris each finished with 10 points.
Jacksonville State (4-12, 0-3 OVC) was led in scoring by Destany McLin’s 24 points and nine rebounds while Candace Morton added 20 points and eight rebounds. Gia Banks tallied 11 for JSU.
After getting off to a slow offensive start, TSU outscored JSU 10-4 to knot the score at 14-all. The Gamecocks, however, answered with a run to regain the lead, 21-14 at the 9:51 mark.
TSU suffered another scoring drought and fell behind by double-digits with 6:07 left in the half.
Over the next several possessions the momentum shifted as TSU turned up its defensive pressure and held JSU scoreless for nearly four minutes. During the span, The Lady Tigers cut the deficit down to four points.
With 7.8 seconds on the clock Brianna Lawrence knocked down a triple from the corner to make the score, 33-31, in favor of Jacksonville State going into the break.
After both teams briefly traded buckets in the opening moments of the second half, JSU created a little distance behind an 8-2 run.
An old fashioned three-point play by Chelsea Hudson coupled with a lay-up from Alana Morris pulled TSU within two, 52-50, with 9:29 remaining.
At the 6:44 mark, TSU briefly took the lead, 57-56, following two made free-throws by Morris. JSU recaptured the advantage on the next possession and from there the teams battled.
The score was tied, 62-62, at the final media timeout. Down the stretch, TSU was trailing, 70-67, when Chelsea Hudson buried a triple from the top of the key with 46.5 seconds left.
With time winding down both teams missed their final shot attempts and the game went to overtime.
In the extra frame, TSU managed to go ahead, 74-73, after Chelsea Hudson scored in the paint. JSU answered with a bucket on its trip down the floor to make the score, 74-73, in favor of the home team.
The Gamecocks scored once again and took the lead, 74-75, before forcing the Lady Tigers to turn the ball over. After making one-of-two free-throws, JSU led, 76-74. On the ensuing possession, Brianna Lawrence hit a floater to pull TSU even.
Lawrence then forced a turnover to give possession back to the Lady Tigers. After missing two shots and hauling in two offensive boards, TSU called a timeout to draw up a play with 12 seconds left.
Out of the timeout, Rachel Allen drove to the lane and sank a short jumper with 2.7 seconds remaining.
JSU’s final shot attempt was off the mark.
Tennessee State shot 37.7 percent from the field despite only connecting 2-of-15 from long range. TSU, however, was able to make 18-of-28 from the free-throw line.
Jacksonville State shot 45.1 percent from the field, including 22.2 percent from beyond the arc while hitting 28-of-40 free-throws.
TSU held the advantage in rebounds, 44-40, points in the paint, 34-20, bench points, 25-10 and steals, 16-6.
