TSUSports.com: Women's Basketball Erases 4th Quarter Deficit, Defeats Alabama A&M For Huge Win

TigerFans

Administrator
Staff member
niya.JPG


Texas Southern's big three of Niya Mitchell, Ciana Cryor and Richelle Velez combined to score 22 of the team's 24 points in the fourth quarter to erase an 11-point deficit as TSU won 79-76 over Alabama A&M Saturday evening.

The Tigers trailed Alabama A&M 67-55 after three quarters and was behind by 11 (69-58) with 8:18 remaining in the final frame. However, TSU's 2-2-1 full court defense forced AAMU into five turnovers as they missed nine field goals which helped the Tigers finish the game on a 13-1 run.

Texas Southern (17-9, 12-3 SWAC) has won four straight games as they also snapped Alabama A&M's (14-12, 10-5) six-game winning streak. More importantly, TSU remains in sole possession of second place and is assured of a first round home contest in the upcoming SWAC Tournament on March 10.

The game was similar to a mirror reflection. Texas Southern won the first and fourth quarters by 29 points combined (50-21). Alabama A&M won the second and third quarters by 26 points combined (55-29).

Cryor scored eight points in the opening quarter while adding four assists and three steals. TSU's defense picked up six steals in the period and forced AAMU to commit eight turnovers. The Lady Bulldogs had twice as many turnovers (8) as made baskets (4) as they outscored AAMU 26-12 in the first quarter.

The second quarter was all Alabama A&M. Nigeria Jones, Dariauna Lewis and Deshawna Harper each scored seven points in the second stanza along with six from Ariana Powe. Alabama A&M cut down the turnovers (3) in the quarter and shot 66.7 percent (12-for-18) from the floor. TSU turned over the ball seven times in the quarter and made only 4-of 14-field goal attempts as AAMU outscored TSU 29-13 in the quarter and led 41-39 at halftime.

Alabama A&M's hot shooting extended into the third quarter as Lewis scored 10 points in the quarter on 4-for-4 field goal shooting. Lewis was a difficult match-up for TSU for much of the ball game with 21 points and nine rebounds. AAMU shot 62.5 percent (10-for-16) from the floor in the quarter and 75 percent (6-for-8) from the free throw line. Texas Southern committed five turnovers in the period and shot 6-for-14 (42.9 percent) on field goal attempts.

TSU was outscored 26-16 in the third period and trailed 67-55 heading to the final period.

TSU's Cryor drained a three-point basket to begin the scoring in the fourth. TSU trailed 67-58 with 9:18 on the game clock but Deshawna Harper knocked down a jumper for Alabama A&M one minute later.

Mitchell scored a layup off a smooth pass from Cryor. Mitchell's layup cut TSU's deficit to 69-60 with 8:17 on the clock. Velez sank a corner three-point shot to pull the Tigers within six points (69-63) with 7:13 remaining in the game but AAMU scored four consecutive points to lead 73-63 with 5:59 on the clock.

Cryor scored a layup and was fouled for a three-point play the old-fashioned way to close within seven. TSU's full-court defense forced a turnover but seconds later, Cryor gave the ball back to Alabama A&M and De'Asia Thomas nailed a jumper for a 75-66 AAMU lead with 5:30 on the game clock.

Neither team scored for more than one minute. Velez stole the ball and was fouled with 4:05 remaining and made both free throw attempts. Mitchell scored in the paint to pull the Tigers with 75-70 with 3:39 on the clock. Mitchell then stole the ball and dished to Ataiya Bridges for a layup as the Tigers inched within 75-72 with 3:22 to go in the game.

Both teams went scoreless for two minutes but after a steal by Cryor, Mitchell was fouled. Mitchell went to the line and sank both free throws. TSU trailed by one point (75-74) with 80 seconds remaining and stayed in the 2-2-1 defense as Mitchell picked up her fifth steal of the game and was fouled. Mitchell made both foul shots to put the Tigers ahead for the first time since leading 37-36 with 1:39 remaining in the first half as they led 76-75 with 1:13 remaining.

Alabama A&M missed two more field goals and Cryor was fouled with 16 seconds remaining. Cryor knocked down both free throws for a 78-75 lead as Alabama A&M called its final timeout of the game to set up a play. However, Cryor fouled AAMU's Deshawna Harper on a 3-point shot at the top of the key with five seconds left.

Harper went to the line for three shots and a chance to tie the game but missed the first attempt. She rolled in the second shot and attempted to intentionally miss the third attempt. However, the attempt was ruled a lane violation as the ball never touched the rim.

Mitchell was fouled with four seconds on the clock and hit 1-of-2 free throws. AAMU's Nigeria Jones missed a halfcourt prayer at the buzzer to secure TSU's come-from-behind victory.

Cryor scored a game-high 25 points with seven assists, four steals and three rebounds. Mitchell scored 21 points and pulled down 10 rebounds for her 14th double-double this season. She also had five steals and two assists. Richelle Velez was the third TSU player to score in double digits with 12 points.

Texas Southern is back in action on Monday against Alabama State at 5:30 p.m.

Print Friendly Version

Courtesy: TSU Athletics
 
Back
Top