Alana Morris had 14 points at SEMO
FINAL STATS
Cape Girardeau, Mo. — The Tennessee State University women’s basketball team shot a season-best 53.1 percent from the field to help pick up its second straight win after defeating Southeast Missouri, 75-67, Saturday night in the Show Me Center.
Tennessee State (5-11, 2-1 OVC) led by as many as 14 points in the first half but had to fight off Southeast Missouri (5-11, 1-2 OVC) down the stretch.
TSU had three players to score in double-digits led by Chelsea Hudson’s 19 points and seven rebounds. Rachel Allen and Alana Morris each tallied 14 points. Morris also had three assists and three steals in the contest.
SEMO was led in scoring by Jordan Hunter’s 18 points. Olivia Hackman (16) and Conner King (13) also registered double-digits.
In the first half, Tennessee State shot a scorching 60.7 percent (17-of-28) from the field, including 66.7 percent (6-of-10) from three-point range. The game was tied at 24-all when the Lady Tigers went on an 8-0 run to create some distance. TSU would outscore SEMO, 22-10, during the last six minutes of the half to go into the break with a, 46-34, lead.
During the first six minutes of the second frame, TSU was outscored, 12-4, allowing the SEMO to pull within four. Rachel Allen hit a three on the Lady Tigers’ next possession but the Redhawks answered with another bucket on their trip down the floor.
TSU went ahead 57-50 following a steal and break-away lay-up by Brianna Lawrence at the 10:06 mark. SEMO cut the deficit down to five several times before pulling within three at the five-minute mark.
Jayda Johnson put TSU back up by five after another offensive rebound and lay-up but SEMO once again managed to close to within three.
The Lady Tigers, however, were able to make free-throws down the stretch to keep the Redhawks at bay.
Despite being outrebounded, 36-27, TSU finished the game knocking down 26-of-59 (53.1 percent) from the field and 7-of-14 (50.0 percent) from beyond the arc. The Lady Tigers also held the advantage in steals, 11-4 and bench points, 20-12.
The Lady Tigers return to action on Thursday, Jan. 16 against Tennessee Tech. Game time is slated for 6 p.m. in the Gentry Center.
