Niya Mitchell pulled down a season-high 22 rebounds and scored 16 points for her fourth double-double this season as Texas Southern defeated Southern 61-56 Saturday evening in the SWAC opener for both teams.
Southern scored the first four points of the game; but, Mitchell and Bridges scored back-to-back baskets to tie the game at four. The Jaguars led 8-6 when Ataiya Bridges sank a three-point shot then a layup for an 11-8 TSU lead with 2:54 remaining in the opening quarter. Both teams failed to score the rest of the quarter.
Ciani Cryor drained a three-point shot for a 14-8 TSU lead to begin the scoring in the second quarter. Ataiya Bridges split two foul shots for a 15-8 lead before Southern's Taneara Moore made two free throws to end Southern's scoring drought. TSU increased its lead to 19-10 after a layup by center Ryann Lewis then two made free throws by Bridges. Southern went on an 11-2 run to tie the game at 21 with nine seconds remaining in the opening half. However, TSU's Britnee Gabriel split two foul shots for a 22-21 TSU lead at halftime.
Texas Southern made 8-of-31 field goals in the first half while Southern made 7-of-25 field goal attempts. Both teams committed 16 turnovers in the first half.
Mitchell scored a layup in with 9:26 on the clock in the third quarter. Mitchell's basket began a 6-0 run to boost the Tigers' lead to 28-21 with 7:53 on the game clock. Southern responded with an 11-0 run to lead 32-28; but, TSU guard Richelle Velez nailed a three-pointer and Tigers' forward Breasia McElrath sank a jumper for a 33-32 TSU lead. The score was tied at 36 when McElrath made two free throws followed by a three-point basket by Bridges. Texas Southern led 42-41 with five seconds left in the third quarter when Bridges caught the inbounds pass; raced up the right sideline; and scored a layup to beat the buzzer for a 44-41 lead after three quarters.
Texas Southern held Southern scoreless the first 4:51 of the fourth quarter and led 50-41 when Southern's Jaden Towner scored all 11 points during an 11-3 SU run which sliced the Tigers' lead to 53-52 with 3:16 remaining in the ball game. Ciani Cryor scored a layup to increase TSU's lead to 55-52; then, Richelle Velez picked up a steal and dished to Niya Mitchell for a layup. TSU was unable to put Southern away as the Jaguars scored four consecutive points to trim TSU's lead to 57-56 with 46 seconds remaining. Mitchell would not be denied as she scored the final four points of the game with two layups to ice the game and seal the win for Texas Southern.
With the win, TSU improves to 1-0 in the SWAC and 6-6 overall. Southern is 2-10 overall and 0-1 in the SWAC.
Texas Southern shot 16-for-30 from the floor in the second half including 8-for-16 in the fourth quarter. Southern made 4-of-19 field goal attempts in the fourth and 10-for-29 in the second half. Bridges followed Mitchell's monster game with 17 points off the bench while Ciani Cryor dished out eight assists.
Texas Southern will continue its three-game homestand Monday, Jan. 6, versus Alcorn State. Tip time is set for 5:30 p.m.
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Courtesy: TSU Athletics