Lady Tigers conclude Puerto Rico trip with overtime win over Presbyterian

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Texas Southern University's Lady Tigers overcame a 10-point, second-half deficit before running past Presbyterian College (S.C.) in overtime of a 74-62 win Friday to conclude their participation at the Puerto Rico Clasico.
 
Artavia Ford scored a team-high 19 points and Breasia McElrath turned in a double-double performance with 17 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Lady Tigers to their fourth win in the season's first five games.
 
At San Juan's Coliseo Roberto Clemente, Presbyterian College erased a six-point Tiger lead during the second quarter as the Blue Hose outscored TSU 20-8 during the second 10 minutes. PC stretched its lead to 40-30 when Cortney Storey converted a layup and free throw with 5:29 remaining in the third period. Storey scored a game-high 26 points for Presbyterian (0-5).
 
The Lady Tigers responded with a 9-1 run, cutting PC's lead to a single basket when Kaitlyn Palmer drained a 3-pointer with 1:35 remaining in the third quarter to make the score 41-39. The Blue Hose took a 46-41 lead into the final period of regulation.
 
Presbyterian College held a five-point lead late in the final three minutes of regulation, only to see the Lady Tigers tie the game and shift momentum at the 2:32 mark. McElrath started the turn of events by converting a layup while fouled with 2:34 on the clock to trim PC's lead to 54-52. After McElrath missed her free throw, Ford secured the rebound and put the ball back in two seconds later to tie the score.
 
That sequence was part of an 8-0 TSU run that gave the Lady Tigers a 58-54 lead in the final minute. Presbyterian would tie the game in a similar manner, knotting the score with 30 seconds left with a 3-pointer from Storey after an offensive rebound on a free throw miss.
 
In the overtime period, the Lady Tigers held the Blue Hose without a field goal for the final 4:18 of the session while scoring 12 of the game's final 14 points. Ford's layup with at the 1:30 mark gave TSU a 66-60 lead, which was a big enough advantage to hold PC at bay for the rest of the contest.
 
Joyce Kennerson scored 16 points for the Lady Tigers. Chynna Ewing chipped in nine points and eight rebounds.
 
The Lady Tigers return to action Wednesday, Nov. 30, when they travel to Louisiana for a game at the University of New Orleans. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.