BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A putback from Southern with two seconds left in OT ended TSU women's basketball season in disappointing fashion as they fell 68-67 Thursday evening in the opening round of the SWAC Tournament.
TSU would take an early 16-10 entering the second quarter as they closed out the first quarter on a 6-0 run led by Andriana Avent's four points. The lead would grow to 18-11 early in the second quarter after Jala Buster's layup. SU would draw to within 18-15 but TSU began to open things up with a 9-1 run which upped the lead to 27-16 after Ashley Austin's trey with 4:37 remaining. However, TSU would commit four turnovers and only get off four shots over the final four minutes while SU went 4-for-9 to draw within 31-26 at the half.
Both teams combined for five turnovers to open the second half but TSU persevered and led 35-26 after two Ataiya Bridges' free throws. SU refused to go away as the quarter progressed as the lead dwindled down to one on two occasions late. TSU would turn to Ashley Austin for some much-needed offense as she scored nine points over the final 7:29 as TSU took a 50-45 lead entering the final quarter.
The fourth quarter wasn't kind to TSU early on as SU went on an 11-0 run in the first five minutes to lead 56-51 with 4:16 left. TSU missed its first seven shots and three free throws during that span as the only scoring was a pair of Alisa Knight free throws with 4:06 left. A free throw by Avent would cut the lead to 58-55 at the 2:01 mark but SU's Genovea Johnson answered with a layup to up the lead to 60-55. Ariana Taylor would answer in a huge way after a three-pointer and a missed bucket from SU led to Jada Perry's layup and a 60-all tie with 1:25 left.
TSU had several missed opportunities after strong defensive stands but committed two costly turnovers as SU moved ahead 61-60 after a Johnson free throw with 19 seconds. Another TSU turnover led to another SU free throw and a 62-60 deficit. Down 62-60 with 12 seconds left, SU missed the back end of a free throw attempt and Ariana Taylor grabbed the rebound and took a timeout. Taylor would miss the go-ahead three-pointer with six seconds left but Avent rebounded the ball and was fouled on the putback. She calmly sank two free throws to force OT at 62-all.
Both teams traded baskets to open OT but SU would take a 66-64 lead with 2:57 left followed by a TSU turnover. SU missed the layup and Jada Perry was fouled and hit 1-of-2 to draw within 66-65 as the clock read 2:25. Neither team would find the basket over the next two minutes until two free throws from Perry put TSU up 67-66 with 24 ticks left. SU would hold for the final shot and missed its initial basket with seven seconds left but Nakia Kincey was there for the putback as TSU's desperation shot fell short.
Austin had a season-high 17 points while Bridges closed out her impressive career at TSU with 16 points, eight steals and four assists. Avent had 12 points, six rebounds and two blocks followed by a double-double of 11 points and 11 boards from Perry.
