A late putback in overtime was the difference as East Texas A&M squeaked out an 87-86 win over Texas Southern women's basketball in its home opener on Thursday.
TSU came out on fire within the first eight minutes as they were a blistering 11-of-18 from the field and perfect from the three-point line en route to a 25-10 lead. The Lions would score the final five points of the quarter as TSU claimed a 25-15 margin entering the second quarter.
TSU led by double digits (33-22) early in the second stanza but the Lions came roaring back from that point as the Tigers cooled off from the field (3-of-13). On the opposite end, ETAMU was 3-of-4 from the three-point line while shooting 6-of-11 as they turned the deficit into a 40-30 halftime lead after a 17-6 run.
A 7-0 Lion run to open the third quarter flipped the contest as they claimed a double digit margin after Jordyn Newsome's layup with 7:04 left. However, TSU refused to back down as they went on an 11-2 run sparked by Alisa Knight's five points and Treasure Thompson's four to trail 54-52 with 4:36 left. The Lions would regain some of the momentum back as the quarter came to a close as they led 60-55.
Every time the Tigers attempted to take the lead early in the fourth quarter, the Lions found ways to hold them off as TSU would close to within three on several occasions within the first three minutes. ETAMU opened up a 6-1 run over the next 2:31 to lead 72-64 but the TSU defense stood up and set the tone over the next 3:14. The Tigers would hold the Lions without a field goal and put forth a furious rally on the offensive end as they went on a 9-0 run led by Courtlyn Loudermill's six points. Loudermill's three-pointer with 39 seconds left fired up the H&PE Arena as TSU retook a 73-72 lead. Unfortunately, TSU committed a foul on the ensuing end and the Lions hit 1-of-2 free throws to knot it at 73-all. Both teams had an opportunity to break the tie but both misfired as overtime was needed.
The Tigers came out red hot to open overtime as they connected on their first three baskets en route to a 79-73 lead with 4:01 left. However, the lead evaporated quickly after back-to-back three pointers from ETAMU to knot it up as it set off a chain of back-and-forth events. TSU tied the contest twice after the Lions led early but TSU finally got over the hump as Aaliyah Henderson's free throw gave them an 84-83 lead with 1:05 left. Two free throws by ETAMU moved them ahead 85-84 but Aylasia Fantroy's layup with 30 seconds left moved the lead back to TSU.
The Lions went for a three-pointer with five seconds left and came up short but Cora Horvath's offensive rebound led to a short jumper with two seconds left. TSU had to settle for a desperation three-pointer as time expired but came up short.
Loudermill led TSU with 17 points followed by 11 from Daeja Holmes and 10 from Henderson. Jaida Belton posted 14 rebounds while Deivejon Harris grabbed 10 boards.
TSU is back in action on Tuesday at 1 p.m. against College of Biblical Studies inside the H&PE Arena.
