SPARTANBURG, S.C.| The Jackson State women's basketball team took a 53-47 advantage into the fourth quarter, but could not hang on and fell 67-59 to Bellarmine at G.B. Hodge Center Friday in its first day of the Spartan Shootout at USC-Upstate.

The Tigers had two players score in double figures, led by Taleah Dilworth, who had 17 points. Tierney Kelsey tacked on 10 points off the bench and Zoe Cooper added five points, two steals and two blocks. Jackson State came away with five blocks in the game. Cooper's two rejections led the way individually for JSU.

How It Happened

• After falling behind 18-12, Jackson State (1-5) went on a 6-0 run with 1:02 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Arianna Durrell, to tie the game at 18, a score that would hold for the rest of the period. 
• JSU relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down four shots to account for 12 of its 18 points.
• Bellarine eked out an advantage in quarter number two as the Tigers headed into the breaking trailing 35-31.
• Jackson State came out of halftime on fire, going on a 7-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Dilworth, to grab a 38-35 lead with 7:07 to go in the third. 
• Before the third period was over, the Tigers added three points to that lead and entered the fourth quarter with a 53-47 edge. 
• Jackson State went on to score 12 of its 22 points in the paint.
• Bellarmine erased the JSU lead in the game's final quarter for a 67-59 comeback victory. 
• The Tigers took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring six of its six points in the paint.

Inside the Numbers

• Jackson State shot 44.8 percent from the field and 30.4 percent from the free throw line.
• The Tigers finished with 26 bench points, 24 points in the paint, 11 points off of 17 Bellarmine turnovers, nine fast break points, and six second chance points.
• The Tigers held the Knights to only 35.1 percent shooting from the field.
• Jackson State's bench came alive by adding 26 points to its scoring output.
• The JSU defense forced 17 turnovers.
• The Tigers were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, tallying five blocks as a team.
• Taleah Dilworth led the Tigers with a game-high 17 points.
• Jackson State got a game-high 10 rebounds from Jaileyah Cotton.

Up Next

The Tigers will conclude play in the 2024 Spartan Shootout with a matchup against Morehead State Saturday. Tip off is set for 10 a.m. CT Saturday.

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