Lady Tigers Battle Hard in Narrow Loss to Wright State

NASHVILLE — The Gentry Center was electric Friday night as Tennessee State opened its 2025‑26 home slate against Wright State. For long stretches the Lady Tigers looked like the team that would walk out with the season’s first win. Instead, a tense finish left TSU on the wrong end of an 85‑80 decision.

TSU set the tone early. The Lady Tigers moved the ball confidently and closed the first half on top, 45‑39, thanks in large part to sophomore forward Erin Martin, who controlled the paint all night. Martin finished with a 17‑point, 10‑rebound double‑double and added two blocks, giving the home crowd a reason to cheer.

Guard Xai Whitfield paced the offense with 18 points and six rebounds, while Somah Kamara and Kiki Roberts chipped in 12 and 10 points respectively. The balanced attack was evident: TSU fought for second chances (11 offensive rebounds) and converted them into 11 second‑chance points, a sign of the physical effort that had the Gentry crowd on its feet.

Wright State answered in the third quarter, tightening its defense and knocking down four threes while shooting 44 percent in the period — a run that swung momentum. TSU fought back, though, and despite trailing 62‑56 entering the fourth, the energy in the building never wavered. When Whitfield’s layup in the final minutes cut the deficit to four, hope rippled through the stands.

The game came down to the wire. Martin’s interior presence continued to matter late, but free‑throw shooting and a few key possessions tipped the balance. TSU shot 43.1 percent from the floor and matched Wright State on the glass (39 rebounds apiece), yet turnovers proved costly — the Lady Tigers gave the ball away 12 times, and Wright State turned those miscues into momentum.

There were bright spots. The bench supplied a team‑high 29 points, with Amiyah Ferguson and Brianna Wooldridge providing important minutes and energy. Those contributions, along with Martin’s double‑double and Whitfield’s scoring, suggest this team has the pieces to contend — especially if it tightens ball security and late‑game free throws.

Up next for TSU are road tests at TCU and UT Arlington. TSU supporters should feel encouraged: with continued growth and cleaner execution, a first win is likely not far off.

Game notes

• Final: Wright State 85, Tennessee State 80

• TSU leaders: Xai Whitfield 18 pts, Erin Martin 17 pts, 10 reb; Somah Kamara 12, Kiki Roberts 10

• Bench: 29 points

• Rebounds: TSU 39, Wright State 39

• Turnovers: TSU 12