HOUSTON — Texas Southern opened its Southwestern Athletic Conference home schedule with a 72-62 win over Mississippi Valley State on Thursday night at the Health & Physical Education Arena, fueled by clutch shooting and defensive intensity.
The Tigers seized control early with a 12-1 run to close the first quarter. Maci Quiller sparked the surge with a deep 3-pointer at 3:20, followed by Daeja Holmes' fast-break layup and Ayanna Jackson's pair of free throws to give TSU a 20-15 lead.
In the third quarter, TSU delivered its biggest punch. Malaya LeSueur drilled a 3-pointer from the wing, and moments later Taliyah Logwood buried another triple to push the lead to 13 points at 8:12. The Tigers' defense forced multiple turnovers during that stretch, setting up transition opportunities.
Mississippi Valley State trimmed the margin to five in the fourth quarter, but TSU responded with a flurry. Jordyn Marshall hit back-to-back threes, including one at 5:26 that stretched the lead to 11 points, igniting the crowd. Logwood's steal and layup with 1:28 remaining sealed the win, and LeSueur capped the night with a driving bucket in the final seconds.
Logwood led TSU with 17 points and three steals. LeSueur added 16 points and six rebounds, while Marshall finished with 15 points and three 3-pointers. The Tigers' bench outscored MVSU's reserves 38-25, a key factor in the victory.
TSU returns to action Saturday against Arkansas Pine-Bluff tip-off at 2 pm.
