March 3, 2008

Jackson, Miss.-The Lady Tigers picked up their 13th conference win of the season, as they knocked off the Devilettes of Mississippi Valley State in a 56-50 win in front of an huge crowd of Tiger faithful fans.

With the win the Lady Tigers improved to 15-10 overall and 13-2 in the conference. The Devilettes fell to a 12-14 overall, 7-9 conference record.

Shaneeese McLin gave the Lady Tigers their first 5 points of the game as the Lady Tigers took their first lead of the game, 5-3 with 18:00 remaining in the half.

Portia Wilson responded with a three point bucket to give the MVSU a 6-5 lead. With 13:14 remaining in the half MVSU took a 10-7 lead with a fast break lay-up by Amanda Hammond. The Devilettes continued to extend their lead as they took a 14-8 lead with 11:33 remaining.

With 7:32 remaining in the half, MVSU led the Lady Tigers 20-11. The Lady Tigers responded on a 6-2 run to cut the Devilettes lead 22-17 with 6:15 remaining in the half.

A three-point play by LaSharee Christian cut the MVSU lead down to one24-25 with 2:45 remaining in the half. Christian tied the game 26-26 with 1:23 remaining in the half.

The Lady Devilettes of MVSU however would score on a free throw to send the score into the half, 27-26.

Shaneese McLin led all Lady Tigers in the first half with nine points, while Portia Wilson also garnered nine first half points.

To open the second half of play, the Lady Tigers got on the board first with a two point jumper by LaSharee Christian to take a 28-27 lead with 18:21 remaining in the game.

With 14:42 left in the game, a lay-up by Jessica Williams gave the Devilettes a 33-31 lead before she responded again with a two point jumper extending the MVSU lead to 35-31.

However JSU's Erlexis Cooper would score on a jumper in the paint with 12:41 remaining to cut the MVSU lead to 35-33. Coopers two free throws with 12:07 left in the game tied the score at 35-35. To extend on their 4-0 run, LaSharee Christian banked a three-point jumper to give the Lady Tigers the lead, 38-35 with 11:15 left to play.

With 8:20 left in regulation, the Lady Tigers led 41-37, and senior guard, Carena Easley extended on the lead with a jumper give JSU a 43-37 lead with 6:34 remaining. A MVSU 6-0 run cut the JSU lead down to one, 44-43 with 4:13 left on the clock. Erica Trahan would score in the paint to extend the Lady Tigers up by three, 46-43.

LaSharee Christian nailed a two point jumper with 1:44 left in the game to give the Lady Tigers a 48-46 lead. Two free throws by Shaneese McLin extended the Lady Tigers 50-46 with 1:29 to play.

Michelle Messega brought the Devilettes within two as she drained a two point jumper with 1:17 left regulation. With 1:13 left to play, a free throw by JSU's Erlexis Cooper would give the Lady Tigers a three point lead, 51-48, but MVSU's Shakira Arnold would be sent to the free throw line to bring the Devilettes within one, 51-50.

Under a minute left to play in the game, a personal foul and technical fouls by Portia Wilson and the MVSU bench with 20.5 remaining, gave the Lady Tigers six foul shots and would prove enough as the Devilettes loose their 9th conference game, 56-50.

Leading all scorers, LaSharee Christian had 19 points, followed by a 15 points, 11 rebounds double-double for the junior forward, Erlexis Cooper. Portia Wilson scored team high 16 points for the Devilettes.

The Lady Tigers prepare for their last home game of the season, as they take on the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff Lady Lions, Monday March 3. Game time is set for 5:30 p.m. on the campus of JSU.