image via Tennessee State Basketball
Tennessee State’s comeback bid fell short as they were defeated 71-69 by SIUE in the semifinals of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Friday evening, heartbreakingly ending the Tigers’ season.
The opening minutes of the contest was a back-and-forth affair that featured 2 ties and 6 lead changes before SIUE took a 10-9 lead on a Myles Thompson jump hook at the 15:28 mark.
The Cougars seized control of the half, building as much as a 12-point lead and ultimately taking a 42-32 lead into halftime. The Tigers shot a respectable 44.4%(12-27) in the opening half but allowed their Cougar opponents to connect on 18-34 (52.9%) of their field goal attempts and whip them on the boards, as SIUE grabbed 9 offensive rebounds in the half.
In the second half, Tennessee State continued to play uphill but would make slow headway, as they whittled away at the SIUE advantage, drawing to within a single point when a pair of Ronald Jessamy free throws brought the score to 57-56 with 8:08 left in the contest. The Tigers tied the game at 57 and 59, all coming from Jessamy’s free throws.
The Tigers took their first lead since briefly being up 9-8 at the 16:23 mark of the first half when Jessamy’s layup put TSU up 61-59 with 6:14 left in the game. SUIE snatched the lead back at 62-61 on Ray’Sean Taylor’s free throw. That lead was short-lived as Tennessee State recaptured the advantage on their next possession when Jessamy’s layup put the Tigers back on top 63-62. The Cougars soon jumped back in front, 64-63 on a pair of Taylor’s free throws. SIUE jumped out to a 71-65 with 2:38! To go in the game. Carlous Williams’ slam-dunk off Aaron Nkrumah’s steal pulled the Tigers within a basket at 71-69 with only 1:02 left. However, a turnover on the potential tying or going ahead possession vanquished the Tigers, comeback bid.
Josh Ogundele led Tennessee State with 19 points; Justus Jackson and Ronald Jessamy added 13 points apiece.
Ray’Sean Taylor was the only Cougar in double figures, leading SIUE with 24 points.
