TSUSports.com: Strong defensive effort sends Lady Tigers past Alabama A&M

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NORMAL, Ala. – The Lady Tigers of Texas Southern University claimed their fourth consecutive victory Monday, winning 56-45 at Alabama A&M.

Niya Mitchell turned in a double-double performance to lead the Lady Tigers (14-13, 10-6 SWAC); the junior from Bay City, Texas, scored 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting and pulled in 10 rebounds. Marquia Turner (pictured) came off the bench to score 13 points for the Lady Tigers.

With the win, Texas Southern pulled into a four-way tie for third place in the Southwestern Athletic Conference standings with Jackson State, Grambling State, and Alabama State. The top four teams will host the opening round of the SWAC Tournament.

The Lady Tigers seized control of the game right after halftime, as they scored the first nine points of the third quarter to stretch their lead to 37-27. TSU held the Lady Bulldogs without a point for the first seven and a half minutes of the third quarter; Alabama A&M scored a total of three points in the third period.

Texas Southern would stretch its lead to 15 points early in the fourth quarter before Alabama A&M rallied to cut the TSU lead to a single possession. The Lady Bulldogs scored eight unanswered points between the 6:14 and 3:34 marks of the fourth quarter to trim TSU's lead to 46-43.

Before A&M could get any closer, Mitchell responded with a layup to make it a two-possession game with 3:15 remaining in the contest. The next two minutes saw both teams come up empty until Mitchell knocked down another layup to stretch TSU's lead to 50-43 with 1:23 remaining. The Lady Tigers were then able to seal the win at the free throw line.

The Lady Tigers shot 43.5 percent (20 of 46) from the field for the game, while holding Alabama A&M to 34 percent shooting (17 of 50). TSU also forced 20 turnovers while committing only 12 and outscored the Lady Bulldogs 21-3 in points off turnovers; Mitchell had a game-high four steals for TSU.

Deshawna Harper led Alabama A&M (13-14, 8-8 SWAC) with 18 points.

The Lady Tigers return home for their last two regular-season contests this week. TSU opens the last weekend of play with a game against Alcorn State on Thursday. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

Courtesy: TSU Athletics
 
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