Knute Wood canned a three-pointer with 15 ticks left in overtime to propel Tennessee State to an 81-80 win over UT Martin Tuesday night.
After Ronald Jessamy’s layup tied the game at 10, TSU was to show the way before Vladimir Salaridze’s layup knotted the game back at 16. The Tigers responded with a 6-0 burst to take a 22-16 lead on Antoine Lorick III’s layup at the 6:06 mark. TSU managed to stay out in front for the remainder of the first half, taking a 36-26 lead into halftime, despite 13 first-half turnovers.
UT Martin, who struggled in the first half, shooting just 29.6% (8-27) from the floor in the first half, found some offensive rhythm in the second, shooting 53.1% ( 17-32) for the half.
Connecting on 3 of their first four field goal attempts, the Skyhawks were able to trim a 10 deficit down to just 3 points in just 2:13, as Salaridze’s jumper brought the score to 39-36 with 17:47 left in the contest. Back-to-back jumpers from Jessamy and Aaron Nkrumah extended the lead to 7 points at 43-36. Five straight points from Salaridze had Martin breathing down the Tigers neck, pulling them two within two points at 43-41.
Tennessee State was able to hold off the Skyhawks’ constant runs until they finally pulled even when Andrija Bukumirović‘s layup squared the contest at 52. The game would then be tired at 54, 56, and 60 apiece. The second of a pair of free throws from Jessamy briefly out Tennessee State back in front 61-60, Martin reclaimed the lead, 62-61, on Joshua Grullon”s jumper. UT Martin showed the way until a pair of Justus Jackson free throws tied the game at 69, with 2:29 left in the contest. The game would also be tied at 71 on Brandon Weston’s layup with 2:01 to go. A pair of Carlous Williams free throws put the Tigers back in front 73-71, but a layup from Grullon squared the game at 73. Tennessee State reclaimed the lead 75-73 on Weston’s jumper with just 0:43 left in the contest. Travis Harper II fouled Salaridze on the ensuing UT Martin possession and he would knock down a pair of free throws. Potential game-winning attempts from Harper II and Williams were no good, sending the game to overtime.
The Skyhawks took a 79-75 lead just 36 seconds into the extra frame on a layup from Carlos Corjito and a Salaridze jump shot. A three-pointer from Haprer II sliced the lead to 79-78 with 1:23 left in the extra period. A turnover and missed free throw from the Skyhawks gave them an 80-78 lead with only 0:27 left in the contest, Knute Wood hit the biggest shot of the evening, a three-pointer that pushed Tennessee State back in front 81-80 for good, as Grullon’s last-minute shot attempt was unsuccessful, sealing the win for the Tigers.
Brandon Weston led three Tigers in double figures with 20 points. Knute Wood, Tuesday night’s hero added 15 points and Ronald Jessamy added 11 points and 5 rebounds.
Tennessee State (8-12, 4-5), now winners of back-to-back games, will take on Tennessee Tech as the last game in this 4-game home stand. Tip-off is set for 7:30 pm.
