Tigerettes fall 82-49 to Tusculum Pioneers

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Diana Neves recorded a career-high 22 points off the bench as the Tusculum College women's basketball team defeated visiting Benedict College 82-49 Monday night at Pioneer Arena.  The Pioneers (7-1) shot 54 percent from the field, including 11-of-23 from three-point territory.

Neves accounted for almost half of TC's three-point production shooting 5-for-8 from beyond the arc, while teammates Chassity Martin (13), Shantae Shank (11) and Ashli Oliver (10) also posted double-digit scoring.

Valerie McQueen led the Tigers (2-4) with 17 points, while Aja Trotter added 15 points and seven rebounds.

After taking a 36-26 lead at halftime, Tusculum opened the final period with a 23-3 run over a span of 7:15.  During that spurt, the Pioneers went 8-for-11 from the floor, including 4-of-5 from three-point land as TC led 59-32 with 10:47 left in the game.  Tusculum would finish the game with a 16-4 run in the final six minutes of the contest.

Tusculum forced 30 turnovers, resulting in 42 points as the Pioneers accounted for 15 steals, including four each by Carlie Lakey and Brooke Underwood.  Underwood also contributed seven points and a game-high 11 assists.

Lutesia Davis finished with eight points and a game-high 11 rebounds, including five on the offensive glass as the Tigers out-rebounded Tusculum by a 38-30 margin.

Tusculum returns to action in 10 days when the Pioneers host Francis Marion University on Thursday, Dec. 14 for a rare noon tip-off.  Benedict ends a five-game road trip on Wednesday when they host North Greenville University.

SEE ALSO Game Statistics.