Tigers Advance To Title Round After Gritty Performance Against Alabama A&M

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Texas Southern took everything Alabama A&M threw at them but came up big in the closing minutes as they scored the final eight points to overcome a one-point deficit in a 72-65 win on Friday night inside Bartow Arena.

The win moves TSU back to the championship round of the SWAC Tournament for the seventh straight year and 11^th time in 15 seasons.

TSU had another fast start as they exploded for a 22-9 lead 10 minutes in. Even though TSU head coach Johnny Jones was 11-0 lifetime against Alabama A&M entering Friday’s game and TSU had won 20 straight and 31 of the past 32 match-ups against AAMU, AAMU played like its postseason life was on the line. TSU cooled off after the run as there was a four-and-half minute scoring drought which saw AAMU storm back and get within one at 22-21. Jaylen Wysinger’s dunk ended the drought for TSU as he scored the next five points to move TSU ahead 27-23. Chris Craig got in on the act with a steal and a dunk for a 29-23 margin with 4:47 remaining.

AAMU would tie it twice over the next few minutes but Jonathan Cisse’s two free throws with six seconds left sent TSU into the half ahead 33-31.

The Tigers opened the second half on an 8-2 run to lead 41-33 but AAMU returned the favor with a 10-0 run over the next three minutes to claim a 43-41 margin. Cisse’s three-pointer with 12:39 left ended the TSU drought as TSU fought back and took a 53-46 lead after a 14-3 surge with 8:59 left.

TSU held on for dear life over the next five minutes but AAMU chipped away at the lead and claimed it as Darius Osborne nailed a trey for a 63-61 at the 3:50 mark. Cisse was fouled on the ensuing possession and hit 1-of-2 free throws for a 64-61 margin but AAMU once again refused to go away with a three-pointer for a 65-64 lead with 2:33 left.

AAMU blocked another TSU shot on the ensuing possession and called a timeout. Coming off the timeout, AAMU committed an offensive foul and Cisse was fouled and hit 1-of-2 free throws to tie it up at 65-all with 1:21 left. The Bulldogs committed another turnover as Chris Craig picked up the steal. Cisse regained control of the ball and found Deon Stroud alone in the left corner as he nailed the biggest three-pointer of the season for a 68-65 margin with 58 seconds left. AAMU missed its next shot attempt and Wysinger hit two free throws en route to a 70-65 lead. AAMU missed another trey as Craig recorded the dagger layup to put the game away for good.

Four players scored in double figures as Cisse led the way with 18 followed by 17 from Stroud, 12 from Henry and 11 by Wysinger. Stroud and Kenny Hunter had six boards while Craig added four steals.
TSU will play Grambling State for the third straight postseason and second consecutive time in the SWAC Championship on Saturday night at 8:30 p.m. for the right to advance to the NCAA Tournament.