TSU Falls At SFA Monday Afternoon

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Stephen F. Austin led from start to finish as TSU couldn’t shake the rust off after a 16-day layoff in a non-conference loss Monday afternoon.
 
TSU was its own worst enemy in the first quarter as the committed eight turnovers which led to nine SFA points. SFA was nearly perfect from the field as they shot 76 percent from the field while TSU only hit three shots as SFA claimed a 22-8 lead after the first quarter.
 
By the time TSU got going in the second quarter, they were already playing catchup as SFA held a double digit lead the entire quarter. TSU would shoot better from the field but SFA remained red hot as they shot 64 percent for a 46-18 halftime lead.
 
TSU would continue to keep fighting as they finally began to get into a groove entering the second half. The Tigers shot 6-for-9 from the three-point line and 17-for-31 overall in the second half as they doubled their point total but it was too little too late as SFA’s first half lead was too big to overcome.
 
Ataiya Bridges led TSU with 26 points, four steals, four rebounds and four assists while Niya Mitchell grabbed seven rebounds and scored 10 points. Te’Aire Hambrick scored nine while Ryann Lewis grabbed six rebounds.
 
The next time TSU is back in action, it’ll be for the start of SWAC play as they’ll head to Alcorn State for a match-up on Saturday, Jan. 2 at 3 p.m.