Tigers run winning streak to seven games with win over Arkansas–Pine Bluff

HOUSTON – The Tigers of Texas Southern University claimed their seventh consecutive win Saturday with a 94-74 win over visiting Arkansas–Pine Bluff.
 
Jeremy Combs turned in his fourth double-double performance in as many games, scoring 27 points and pulling in 11 rebounds to lead the Tigers (15-11), who improved to 10-3 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play.
 
TSU’s Jalyn Patterson came off the bench to score 19 points for the Tigers; he shot 5-of-9 from 3-point range. Eden Ewing added 11 points and seven rebounds for Texas Southern.
 
Martaveous McKnight scored 23 points to lead Arkansas–Pine Bluff (11-16, 8-6 SWAC).
 
The Tigers led from start to finish in Saturday’s game. It appeared as if the Tigers were going to run away with the game early, as TSU used a 16-1 run over a stretch of nearly five minutes in the first half to take a 29-7 lead with 9:16 left to play in the period.
 
Pine Bluff would continue to chip away at the lead throughout the game. The visitors eventually made it a one-possession game when the Golden Lions cut the lead to 54-52 midway through the second half.
 
A 9-0 run between the 5:18 and 3:28 marks of the second half put TSU ahead 86-66 and give the home team a comfortable margin.
 
TSU shot 52 percent (31 of 60) from the field in the game and was 8-of-19 (42.1 percent) from 3-point range. The Tigers limited Pine Bluff to 18 percent shooting (3 of 17) from 3-point range during the game.
 
Justin Hopkins chipped in nine points and eight rebounds for Texas Southern.
 
The Tigers return to action Monday when they host Mississippi Valley State. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.