From Tennessee State Athletics :
ORANGEBURG, S.C. – The Tennessee State fell in overtime at South Carolina State, 90-88.
FIRST HALF: Emmanuel Dowuona scored the first basket of the game; TSU’s scored the opening bucket in eight of 11 games thus far. The Tigers held an eight-point advantage to open the game. The Bulldogs responded with a 30-9 scoring stretch to take a 13-point lead. South Carolina State dominated most of the half as they cashed in 51.5% from the field, including 7-of-13 (53.8%) from deep. Kassim Nicholson led the way for TSU with 10 points and four rebounds. The graduate transfer from UAB converted 3-of-6 from the field and 4-of-5 at the free-throw line. Three Bulldogs registered at least nine points in the opening half, as T.J. Madlock filled up the stat sheet with 10 points, four rebounds, three assists, a block and a steal. || S.C. State, 46-29
SECOND HALF: Marcus Fitzgerald Jr. rattled off a handful of points to rally the Tigers. With 14:43 remaining, Dedric Boyd drained a three-pointer to cut the deficit to single-digits, 54-46. South Carolina State reached the double-bonus with 11:33 left in the game. TSU cut the lead to two points, 65-63, with seven minutes remaining. Fitzgerald Jr. continued to fill up the bucket as he drained multiple long-range jumpers throughout the half. Boyd recorded a three-pointer to tie the game at 71. Shakem Johnson gave the Tigers their first lead, 73-71, since the opening minutes with less than three minutes remaining. Kenny Cooper extended the lead with a layup through contact, 75-72. With 1:07 left, the Bulldogs tallied a free-throw to bring the lead within two, 75-73. South Carolina State forced a miss and tied the game on a layup by Rahsaan Edwards. In the final seconds, Kenny Cooper attempted a contested layup which was not successful. || TIED AT 75
OVERTIME: South Carolina State’s Edwards drained a three-pointer to kickstart the extra period. The Bulldogs’ Cameron Jones extended the lead to six with a three-ball. After a basket by Fitzgerald Jr., Edwards converted an “and-one” four-point play. Cooper made his way to the charity stripe with an “and-one” of his own. TSU forced a charge with 2:24 remaining. Down by five, 85-80, Johnson cut the deficit to one possession with a basket in the paint. Coopermade two at the free-throw line to bring the game within one, 85-84. After a basket by SCST, Cooper drew a foul and spilt a pair at the stripe, 87-85. The Bulldogs spilt a pair at the line and forced a miss by the Tigers with about 10 seconds to go. TSU was forced to foul, and South Carolina State sealed the game with two free-throws. Monty Johal drained a three-pointer at the buzzer. || S.C. State, 90-88
INSIDE THE STATS:
- Marcus Fitzgerald Jr. led the team with 19 points, all of which came in the second half/overtime.
- Kassim Nicholson posted his fourth double-double of the year with 14 points and 11 rebounds. The Jackson, Miss. native matched his season-high with six offensive rebounds.
- Shakem Johnson registered his first double-double of the season with 10 points and 13 boards.
- Five Tigers logged double-digit points, with four of five scoring at least 13.
BEYOND THE BOX:
- It was the first overtime game for TSU since January 2, 2021 (26 games) at SEMO (2OT, 83-79).
- This was the first double-double for Johnson since February 25, 2021, against Morehead State (11 points, 10 rebounds).
- Entering the game, TSU ranked atop the OVC in defensive three-point percentage. South Carolina State shot 55% (11-for-20) from long-range.
