Tigers Drop Another Late Affair In Overtime

Alcorn State needed a miracle to force overtime and used the momentum to steal a 79-74 win away from Texas Southern on Saturday night inside the H&PE Arena.

In a rematch of last year’s SWAC Tournament Championship Game, one would figure this season’s match-up would be back-and-forth and it was. ASU scored the game’s first basket but TSU scored five straight and would maintain the lead over the next few minutes.

TSU would go on a 5-0 run beginning at the 15:40 mark to extend its lead to 13-6 after Davon Barnes’ layup. However, the Braves wouldn’t back down as they answered with a 14-4 scoring surge fueled by three-point shooting over the next 4:46 while TSU was scoreless from the field along with two turnovers.

Zytarious Mortle’s layup would end the TSU scoring drought as both teams went back-and-forth as the half came to an end. TSU found a way to get its groove back as the half closed as they outscored the Braves 5-1 for a 30-27 halftime lead.

The Tigers came out clicking to begin the second half as Kehlin Farooq and Barnes combined to score nine points as they pushed TSU’s lead to 42-35 with 14:11 left. But once again, the Braves received several beneficial calls to get to the free throw line and they took advantage to sneak back into the contest but TSU continued to hold on as they led 48-46 with 8:22 left.

Alcorn State would tie it at 48-all after two Jeremiah Kendall free throws at the 8:11 mark but Barnes drew a foul and converted on a tough bucket to move TSU back ahead. The free throw was good as TSU regained a 51-48 advantage. From that point, it was a game of will as TSU would lead by five after a Chris Craig layup but both teams kept punching like two tired boxers as it was tied at 59-all entering the final media timeout thanks to a Dominic Brewton trey. TSU would miss a basket after the media time out and Brewton nailed another trey for a 62-59 lead. TSU was whistled for an offensive foul on the next possession and the Braves scored again for a 64-59 lead.

With time winding down, Isaiah Marin nailed a huge three-pointer and TSU forced an ASU miss which led to another Marin basket and a foul for a 64-all tie with 1:36 left. The free throw was good as TSU regained a 65-64 lead. A big block by Chris Craig and the ensuing rebound led to an ASU foul and a free throw as TSU led 66-64. Brewton was fouled on the next possession while attempting a layup with 51.7 seconds left and hit 1-of-2 free throws as TSU clung to a 66-65 lead. With 29.6 seconds left, TSU was whistled for an offensive foul but forced an ASU miss which led to an easy layup with four seconds left. However, for the second time inside the H&PE this month, ASU threw up a prayer with no time left and tied it at 68-all to force overtime.

TSU took an early three-point lead in overtime but ASU battled back and tied it at 73-all with 2:27 left. ASU’s Byron Joshua drew a foul with 1:51 left and hit 1-of-2 to regain a 74-73 lead. Barnes would miss an attempt on the ensuing possession and ASU’s Keondre Montgomery hit a dagger of a three-pointer to increase the lead to 77-73 at the 1:11 mark. Outside of a free throw, TSU was held without a field goal the rest of the way as the Braves held on for the win.

Barnes led TSU with 20 points, seven rebounds and three blocks while Marin had 13 and 12 from Farooq. Craig was one point from a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds.

TSU is back in action on Monday against Jackson State at 7:30 p.m. live on HBCUGO TV.