Tigers Drop Home Opener
The Bulldogs jumped out to a 7-0 lead before TSU’s first score nearly five minutes in and kept the pressure on as TSU started out 1-of-7 from the field with four turnovers. PJ Henry ended TSU’s drought with a layup at the 15:32 mark but the Tigers remained cold as they would eventually fall behind 23-4 after shooting only 2-of-17 from the field with eight turnovers within the first 10:28 of the half.
Back-to-back points from Kenny Hunter game TSU brief momentum as they went on a 9-2 run to get within 12 (25-13) with 6:26 remaining as the Bulldogs only connected on one shot. However, the Tigers would only hit one basket the rest of the way while Samford was nearly perfect from the field (5-of-8) over the final five minutes en route to a 41-21 halftime lead.
Samford remained ahead by double digits throughout the early part of the second half as they were up by 17 with 12:09 left. The Tigers turned to the aggressors from that point as they fought their way to the free throw line 14 times over the next 4:50 as they connected on 10-of-14 free throws to get within nine on two occassions as the latter (68-58) occurred with 7:08 remaining.
However, Samford woke from its slumber and was red hot from the field as they went 5-of-5 from the field over the next three minutes, including 4-of-4 from the three-point line to pull away during a 16-2 run.
PJ Henry led the way with 13 points followed by 10 from Grayson Carter. Carter completed the double-double with 11 rebounds.
TSU will have time to regroup over the Christmas holidays as they’re not in action until Thursday, Dec. 28 against College of Biblical Studies at 6 p.m. inside the H&PE Arena.
Courtesy: TSUSports.com
