Women's Hoops Upended by Tennessee State, 71-66

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MOREHEAD, Ky. – Tennessee State's women's basketball team used a 17-4 second-half run to rally past Morehead State 71-66 at Johnson Arena Thursday evening.

The Tigers, who won for the fifth straight time over MSU, improved to 11-17 overall and 8-7 in the conference. The Eagles slipped to 11-17 overall and 5-10 in the league. MSU must win its final regular season game Saturday to have an opportunity for an OVC Tournament berth.

"Twelve offensive rebounds for them in the second half was the difference in the game," Head Coach Tom Hodges said. "I thought we executed well in the first half, but when we had to sub because of foul trouble, that's when we lost our momentum."

Morehead State pulled ahead 50-43 following a Mackenzie Arledge triple at the 11:16 mark of the final half, but that's when the Tigers grabbed momentum. TSU scored 17 of the next 21 points in a seven-minute span to lead 60-54.

MSU junior guard Almesha Jones scored a game-best 25 points, her seventh 20+ game this year and the 11th time in her career past the 20-plateau. She also handed out a game-high six assists. Arledge finished with 11 points and seven rebounds, her second straight double-figure effort.

Tennessee State's Chelsea Hudson led her team with 21 points and seven rebounds. Jayda Johnson contributed 12, while Alana Morris chipped in 11.

The Tigers out-rebounded MSU 38-29. TSU committed 18 turnovers but forced the hosts into 21 mistakes.

"If we could have gotten more consistency on the glass, I would have felt good," Hodges added. "But we also had way too many turnovers too. That's the first time in a long while we had more mistakes than assists."

MSU built its largest lead of the first half at 33-22 with 3:16 left, but the visitors ended the period with an 11-2 advantage to pull within 35-33. The Eagles hit 57 percent (13-of-23) in the half but had 12 turnovers.

TSU shot 45 percent (27-of-60) for the game, while the Eagles connected on 46 percent (26-of-57). MSU was 8-of-25 from three-point range. Tennessee State outscored MSU 14-6 at the free throw line.

The Eagles finish the regular season at home Saturday versus Tennessee Tech at 5:15 p.m. ET. MSU will honor seniors Allie Turner, Shanice Parker and Terrice Robinson after the contest.