ITTA BENA, Miss. --- Saturday afternoon the Devilettes returned home to face the Lady Tigers of Texas Southern (14-9, 9-3). It was a battle between speedy, Joyce Kennerson of Texas Southern, and the aggressive Devilette, LaKendra Bassett in the first half. The game mirrored the cloudy, wet weather outside as both teams went into their respective slumps; however, the Lady Tigers prevailed in the fourth quarter to win the contest 72-53.

The first quarter started slow as the Devilettes came out slow on defense, allowing Kennerson to score eight early points. The first quarter ended with the Devilettes only down four as they were able to control the shot clock, forcing the Lady Tigers to extend their defensive play. The Lady Tigers' speed allowed for quick buckets in transition. The Lady Tigers were able to keep fouls off the board the entire first quarter, which ended with 20-16 score in favor of Texas Southern.

Texas Southern's decision to play Taylor Robinson the majority of the second quarter was the deciding factor in what allowed the Lady Tigers to keep a nine-point lead most of the quarter. Robinson protected the Lady Tiger's basket effectively which forced the Devilettes to take outside shots. As a result, Kristy Parker made three pointers that finally got her on the board for the Devilettes after being silent the first quarter.

A combined 17 points was scored in the third quarter. Both teams shot just under 35 percent from the field; however, the Devilettes went down ten at the conclusion of the half. LaKendra Bassett led the Devilettes with 15 points while Kennerson led the Lady Tigers with 20. MaKayla Bonner's return helped contain the Lady Tigers, Taylor Robinson downlow allowing the Devilettes to score points in the paint.

At the start of the fourth quarter it was evident that the Lady Tigers had their feet on the gas as they led by as many as 21 points. With both Kristy Parker and MaKayla Bonner in foul trouble (4 fouls each) the Devilettes seemed to be playing the game safe. Despite the Lady Tigers' offensive surge, Desiray Moseley answered with offense of her own with two back to back three pointers. The contest didn't consist of many trips to the charity stripe for the Devilettes, but the two times they went they were 100 percent.

Ultimately, being outrebounded 37 to 27, outscored in the paint 40 to 8, and having less second chance points than the Lady Tigers proved to be too much to overcome for the Devilettes. The slow start heavily affected the Devilettes as they dropped one of two of their last home games.

In the loss, LaKendra Bassett led the way with 15 points, seven assists, and four rebounds. Kenya Arnold followed just shy of a double-double with 10 points and eight rebounds. Although plagued by foul trouble and limited playing minutes, Kristy Parker and MaKayla Bonner ended the contest with seven points and six rebounds and eight points and five rebounds respectively.

The Devilettes will be back in-home action Monday night as they take on the Lady Panthers of Prairie View A&M (9-14, 7-5). The 5:30 p.m. tipoff will be the Devilettes last home tipoff of the 2017-2018 regular season, so make sure you're in attendance!