The Tennessee State men’s basketball team led for most of the game and was able to get a needed OVC win 84-76.
TSU jumped out to an early 8-0 lead on Carlous Williams’ three-point shot at the 17:56 mark. The Lions tied the game at 12 when Markeith Browning II threw one down with 15:17 left in the half. The Lions took their first lead of the contest at 17-14, via a three from Clayton Jackson. Back-to-back baskets from Ronals Jessamy put the Tigers back in front 18-17 at the 11:39 mark. The remainder of the half was a see-saw affair featuring 5 ties and 9 lead changes before Tennessee State managed to wrest the less away from Lindenwood to take a 39-36 lead at halftime.
The Lions tied the game at 39 on a three-pointer from Anias Futrell on their first possession of the half. A Josh Ogundele free throw and an Aaron Nkrumah steal and slam put TSU back in front 42-39. A pair of Reggie Bass free throws pulled Lindenwood even with Tennessee State at 44 all. Eight straight points from TSU gave the Tigers a 52-44 advantage. The Lions would briefly cut the lead to 52-46 on Markeith Browning II’s jumper before a 9-2 spurt from TSU put the Tigers up61-48. Tennessee State maintained a double-digit advantage, building as much as a 14-point lead at 68-54 on a Carlous Williams slam with 6:16 to go in the contest.
Over the remaining 6:16 Lindenwood would draw within single digits, getting as close as 74-69 with 1:17 remaining but the Tigers would hold on to secure an 84-76 win.
Carlous Williams led Tennessee State with 20 points. Aaron Nkrumah recorded a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds; Josh Ogundele added 13 points and grabbed 7 boards, while Justus Jackson chipped in with 10 points.
In a losing effort, Anias Futrell led Lindenwood with 18 points; Reggie Bass added 17 points, and Markieth Browning and Jordan Wildy scored 10 points apiece
Up next for Tennessee State, (12-13, 8-6), winners of two in a row and 6 of their last 7 will get back to action Thursday evening when they hit the road to take on Eastern Illinois
