Red Hot Tigers Run Past UAPB In Home Opener Saturday Night
UAPB would claim an early lead as they led by four on two occasions within the first six minutes. The contest was a back-and-forth affair from that point with a pair of ties but UAPB continued to hold on as they led 23-20 with 8:19 left. Both teams would commit turnovers on the ensuing possession but TSU took full advantage of its steal as Karl Nicholas dunked home the basket for a 23-22 deficit.
UAPB would miss its next layup attempt and senior guard Bryson Etienne made his presence known with a three-pointer off a Jordan Gilliam assist. UAPB missed its next shot and Etienne once again buried a trey to move TSU ahead 28-23 with 7:03 left. Etienne’s trey kick started both TSU’s offense and defense as the Tigers went on a 24-9 run over the next seven minutes. During the run, Etienne scored eight points followed by five from Justin Hopkins as the TSU defense held UAPB to 2-of-8 shooting from the field while TSU was 8-of-12, including 3-for-6 from beyond the arc. Once the damage was done, TSU claimed a 44-32 halftime lead.
UAPB would draw within 44-35 early in the second half but TSU turned up the heat with a 13-2 run fueled by perfect shooting (5-for-5) from the Tigers. Ahead 57-37, TSU would never look back as the lead would grow to as much as 28 with 6:01 remaining. Everyone would contribute for TSU on the evening as 11 of 12 players would score en route to a 90-point night.
Etienne led the way with 21 points on 7-of-10 shooting while PJ Henry and Karl Nicholas had 13 points apiece. Yahuza Rasas finished with seven rebounds and two blocks followed by five assists from A.J. Lawson.
TSU is back in action Monday night inside the H&PE Arena against Mississippi Valley State at 7:30 p.m.
Courtesy: TSUSports.com
