Nicholas Records Double-Double As Tigers Close Out Non-Conference With Big Win

Karl Nicholas had a career-night from the field as he posted his fourth double-double in five games as TSU ran past Huston-Tillotson 92-54 on Thursday night.

Playing for the first time since last Thursday, the Tigers took a few minutes to shake off the holiday doldrums as the Rams claimed an early 11-10 lead behind the strength of 3-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc. The Tigers finally began to click as Kolby Granger scored four points to spark a 9-0 run as TSU led 19-11. However, HTU used the long ball to creep back in with two three-pointers to draw within 19-17 with eight minutes remaining.

TSU answered HTU’s run with a vengeance as Nicholas scored eight points to lead a 17-5 run to end the half. The Tigers shot 7-of-11 from the field during that span while holding the Rams to 2-of-11 shooting and four turnovers en route to a 36-22 halftime lead.

TSU kept its foot on the gas to open the second half as they outscored the Rams 22-10 over the first 5:42. Nicholas scored 10 of the team’s 22 points during that span as the Tigers led by 26 with 14:01 remaining. The team kept up its momentum from that point as they led by as much as 40 with 1:09 left after a Zytarious Mortle dunk.

Nicholas scored a career-high 28 points and grabbed 15 rebounds while Davon Barnes scored 15 followed by 10 from John Walker III. Kehlin Farooq also grabbed 11 rebounds off the bench.

TSU will now turn towards SWAC play as they’ll host Southern on Monday at 7:30 p.m. inside the H&PE Arena.