ITTA BENA, Miss. – Andriana Avent sparked a late run in the fourth quarter with eight of her game-high 32 points over the final five minutes which allowed TSU to pull away from Mississippi Valley State 82-77 on Saturday.
TSU had a high-scoring first quarter as they nailed four three pointers. However, MVSU was right there as they had nearly double the amount of shot attempts (23) as they received a strong outing from its bench to lead 23-20 at the close of the quarter.
The second quarter was a back-and-forth affair with multiple lead changes but MVSU's Kerrigan Johnson heated up with seven points to spark a 12-4 run which saw MVSU claim a 40-32 lead with the half winding down. With 13 seconds left, TSU would miss a short jumper but Ataiya Bridges stepped in the way of the MVSU guard on the rebound and stole the ball for a quick layup with eight seconds left as TSU trailed 40-34 at the half.
TSU would slowly inch its way back into the game in the third quarter as they opened with an 11-6 run to get within 46-45 with 6:14 left. From that point, Avent and Bridges would take over as the duo combined to score 19 of the final 20 points in the quarter. TSU would also force four turnovers as they closed the quarter ahead 65-59.
The Devilettes refused to go away quietly as they opened the fourth quarter on a 10-4 run which saw them tie the game at 69-all. With intentions of an upset, TSU did its best to prevent one from happening as Alisia Knight drove the lane for a tough layup to break the tie. TSU would record a steal on the next possession and Bridges found a wide open Avent for a huge three-pointer and a 74-69 lead. Two possessions later, TSU would force another turnover and Avent scored to up the margin to 76-69. The lead would grow to as much as eight with 1:11 left as TSU closed out the contest on a 13-8 surge led by Avent's eight points.
Avent once again had another monster game with her third 30-plus point game of the season as she finished with 32. Bridges added 19 with eight assists followed by 13 from Ariana Taylor and 12 from Knight. Jada Perry had 12 rebounds and three blocks.
TSU is back in action on Monday night for a pivotal contest at Arkansas-Pine Bluff which tips off at 5:30 p.m. in Pine Bluff, Ark.
