Tennessee State's Brianna Lawrence scored a season-high 22 points, including six three-pointers, as TSU topped the Morehead State women's basketball team 81-74 at Johnson Arena Saturday night.
TSU, which has now won six straight in the series, improved to 10-12 overall and 7-4 in the Ohio Valley Conference. MSU saw its three-game winning streak snapped, slipping to 11-13 overall and 7-4 in league contests.
"We were hoping coming in TSU would not be so good from three-point range," Head Coach Greg Todd said. "They had been streaky, and also they had just way too many offensive rebounds tonight. Give them credit. They are very active and forced us into more turnovers than we typically commit."
Lawrence drilled 6-of-8 from long range, part of a 10-trey night for the visitors. TSU outscored the Eagles 30-12 from beyond the arc. The Tigers also snagged 19 offensive rebounds and turned that into a 21-10 advantage in second-chance points. TSU forced 19 MSU mistakes, swiping 10 steals.
TSU also got 14 points from I'mani Davis, and 12 each from Chelsea Hudson and Rachel Allen. Allen dished out a career and-game-best 11 assists.
Morehead State senior guard Almesha Jones scored her second straight "point-assist" double-double, netting 16 markers and 10 helpers. The nation's leader in total assists, Jones also set the MSU single-season mark tonight, surpassing Teresa Ruby's 193 in 1984-85.
Sophomore forward Shay Steele erupted for a career-high 25 points, including 18 in the first half. Steele was 9-of-11 from the field and also corralled nine rebounds. Senior guard Maiki Viela scored 12, while senior forward Casey Ryans nailed down 10 rebounds. MSU won the overall rebound battle, 43-39.
After a 39-all tie at the half, Morehead State only led once in the second half (51-50 with 14:59 left). The Eagles trailed 65-64 with 5:29 left but only managed three field goals down the stretch.
Morehead State is idle this week before traveling to Belmont, a team it just beat 66-55 on Wednesday, on Saturday. Game time is 5 p.m. ET in Nashville.
