TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – For the second straight contest, TSU women's basketball rode the strength of a late second half run as Florida native Jada Perry posted a double-double as TSU recorded a 74-57 win at Florida A&M on Saturday which was shown live on NBA TV.
TSU wasted no time in setting the tone with an early 10-0 lead as Shelexxus Aaron drained two three-pointers to open the game. However, Florida A&M didn't fold after the early deficit as Anisja Harris took on TSU herself with 10 consecutive points. She was joined by Tia Bradshaw as the Rattlers claimed an 18-16 first quarter lead.
The three-ball was FAMU's friend early in the second quarter as they opened with a 10-0 run to claim a 28-16 lead before Ataiya Bridges' layup to close the gap to 28-18. FAMU would maintain a double-digit lead over the next two minutes but TSU regrouped and turned up the intensity on both ends. Defensively, TSU shut out FAMU the remainder of the half while TSU made up ground with four free throws to fuel a 9-0 run as they trailed 32-27 at the half.
The third quarter saw TSU regain a 34-33 lead with 7:31 remaining after Ariana Taylor's three-point play. The lead was brief as FAMU scored with 6:42 left but it was evenly played from that point as both teams scored 12 points each as the Rattlers led 45-43 to end the third quarter.
Both teams went back-and-forth as the quarter began but Andriana Avent picked off a pass and Taylor drew a foul down low and made two free throws to trail 50-49 at the 5:40 mark. Thirty seconds later, Bridges found a wide open Alisia Knight for a backdoor layup and TSU forced another FAMU turnover on the ensuing possession. Bridges would hit 1-of-2 free throws and TSU forced another turnover on the ensuing possession which led to an Avent trey and a 55-50 lead. From there, it was all TSU as they closed out the quarter on a 27-7 run fueled by near-perfect (8-of-9) shooting and aggressive defense as FAMU hit only one field goal.
Perry, a native of Lady Lake, Fla., posted her second straight double-double and third in four games with 20 points and 16 rebounds. Bridges followed with 19 points and six rebounds while Andriana Avent scored 14.
TSU is back in action on Monday at Bethune-Cookman for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off in Daytona Beach, Fla.
