SAVANNAH, Ga.- Texas Southern broke open a close game with a 17-2 run in the third quarter and went on to defeat Savannah State 65-41 in a non-conference game played at Tiger Arena.

The game was Savannah State's final home game in the 2018 portion of their schedule. SSU's next home game is January 19 against Norfolk State.

Savannah State (2-4) was playing without starters Myasia Jones and Alessus Sowell who suffered concussions in their last contest.

TSU jumped out to a 6-2 lead in the first quarter but Savannah State bounced back with a 3-pointer by Le'Andrea Gillis and a layup by Robbi Allen to take a 7-6 advantage with 6:16 on the clock.

Both teams continued to battle in the quarter and Texas Southern took a three point lead with 1:38 remaining before Allen made a layup for SSU to slice their deficit to 14-13.

TSU led 15-13 at the end of one quarter of play.

The second quarter featured four ties with Savannah State scoring seven points off turnovers and five second chance points.

With the scored knotted at 25 apiece, Allen hit a layup with 49 seconds remaining for a two point lead for SSU. Texas Southern's Marquia Turner made a pair of free throws with 28 seconds left to tie the game at 27 and both teams went into the half tied 27-27.

TSU opened the third quarter by scoring the first eight points. After a pair of free throws by Gillis, the visitors from Houston, Texas exploded for nine straight points to run their lead to 44-29 at the 2:41 mark.

At the end of the third quarter, Texas Southern led 46-31.

Texas Southern (2-4) led by as many as 26 in the fourth quarter. In the final period, TSU out-scored Savannah State 10-4 in the paint while their bench players out-scored the SSU reserves 12-8.

Allen was the lone Savannah State player in double figures with 12 points off the bench. Allen also had five rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Gillis and Heniaya Moton each added seven points for SSU while Alexus Bryant contributed eight rebounds and six blocks.

SSU shot 24.1 percent from the field, 21.4 percent from beyond the arc and made 10 of 16 shots from the free throw line.

Texas Southern was led by Niya Mitchell's 15 points.

TSU won the rebounding battle 51 to 33 while shooting 43.9 percent from the floor, 25 percent from 3-point land and making 11 of 25 free throw attempts.