FINAL STATS

Missoula, Mont. --- The Tennessee State University women's basketball team fell to host Montana, 71-48, on day two of the 32^nd annual Lady Griz Classic Saturday night in Dahlberg Arena.

Tennessee State (3-4) played Montana (5-2) fairly close in the first half but was outscored, 37-22, in the second frame. Montana has now won 26-straight Lady Griz Classic games.

For the second consecutive night, Simone Hopes led TSU in scoring with 13 points and six rebounds. She was the only Lady Tiger to post double-digits in scoring as Kesi Hess followed with eight points and five steals.

Hopes and Hess were also named to the Lady Griz Classic All-Tournament team.

The fast-paced game saw Montana jump out to a 7-2 lead and then go up, 16-8, seven minutes into the half. Tennessee State was trailing, 16-10, when the Lady Griz went on an 8-0 run to move ahead, 24-13.

The Lady Tigers answered with a rally of their own and pulled to within six with about two minutes left in the frame. Montana scored a basket just before the break to go into halftime leading TSU, 34-26.

Tennessee State shot 34.5 percent in the opening half and committed eight turnovers.

Montana increased its advantage back up to double-digits early in the second stanza and maintained at least a nine-point cushion over the next several minutes.

Halfway through the half, The Lady Griz had outscored the Lady Tigers, 17-6, to swell the lead to, 51-32.

With just under eight minutes left in the game, Kesi Hess knocked down a three-pointer to make the score, 56-41, but that would be as close as the Lady Tigers would get.

TSU finished the game with a 34.0 field goal percentage (18-of-53) and 17 turnovers. Montana shot 47.3 percent (26-of-55) from the field and turned the ball over 15 times. The Lady Tigers also lost the battle of the boards, 41-29.

Tennessee State will remain in Montana and make the trip over to Bozeman to face Montana State on Monday night. Tip-off is slated for 7:05 p.m. (MT) in Worthington Arena.

---tsutigers---