Lady Tigers fall to Alabama State 58-51

HOUSTON – The Lady Tigers of Texas Southern University saw their three-game winning streak snapped Saturday as they fell 58-51 to visiting Alabama State.
 
Niya Mitchell scored 19 points and pulled in 15 rebounds to lead the Lady Tigers (8-11), who fell to 4-4 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play. Mitchell also recorded five steals in the game.
 
Alabama State (7-12, 6-2 SWAC) was led by Ayana Emmanuel, who scored 18 points for the Lady Hornets; she was 12-of-14 from the free throw line.
 
In a game that featured 10 ties and 11 lead changes, the Lady Hornets took control of the game for good with a 6-0 run between the 3:12 and 1:29 marks of the fourth quarter. The six unanswered points reclaimed a 52-47 lead for Alabama State.
 
Mitchell cut the lead to three points with a layup with 1:29 left to play in the game, and that was followed by Emmanuel going to the free throw line where she made one out of two free throws. TSU’s next two possessions came up empty before Courtney Lee hit a free throw with 15 seconds left to stretch the ASU lead to 54-49.
 
Alabama State held the Lady Tigers to 25 percent shooting (6 of 24) in the second half. TSU shot 20 percent (2 of 10) from the field in the fourth quarter.
 
Mitchell’s double-double was her third in a row and fifth in her last six games. Olivia Cunningham scored 12 points for the Lady Tigers.
 
The Lady Tigers return to action Monday when they host Alabama A&M. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.