FINAL STATS

Bozeman, Mont. --- The Tennessee State University women's basketball team dropped a hard-fought contest to Montana State, 65-55, on the road Monday night in Worthington Arena.

Although Tennessee State (3-5) knocked down eight three-pointers and was nearly even with Montana State (6-1) from the floor, the difference was MSU's rebounding and free-throws.

TSU was 3-of-7 from the free-throw line while Montana State connected on 18-of-27 from the charity stripe. The Bobcats also outrebounded the Lady Tigers, 46-32.

Jasmin Shuler made five triples in the contest and led TSU with 15 points while Simone Hopes just missed a double-double with 12 points and eight rebounds.

After two ties and nine lead changes in the first half, TSU trailed Montana State, 20-19, with about seven minutes left in the frame.

On TSU's next possession, Kesi Hess knocked down a three-pointer that sparked a short rally that included back-to-back buckets from Destiney Gaston.

The Lady Tigers were leading, 26-20, when the Bobcats answered with a run to close within one. The score was, 29-28, in favor of TSU at the halftime mark.

Despite committing 11, Montana State only scored three points of TSU's turnovers in the first half. The Lady Tigers also shot 43.3 percent from the field, including 42.9 percent from long range in the first stanza.  

MSU outscored TSU, 8-2, to open the second half and went ahead, 36-31.  A few minutes later, a bucket by Simone Hopes knotted the game at 36-all and the teams traded baskets.

Two ties and three lead changes later, the score was tied, 49-49, at the 7:01 mark. Over the next five minutes, however, Montana State scored ten straight points, including six free-throws, to go up, 59-49, with just over two minutes left on the clock.

The deficit proved too much to overcome for the Lady Tigers.

TSU finished the game with a 37.3 field goal percentage (22-of-59), including 8-of-18 (44.4 percent) from beyond the arc.

The Lady Tigers will have nearly a two-week break before returning to action at home versus Cleveland State. Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m. in the Gentry Center.