Title Image via Tennessee State Athletics
91
Winner Tennessee St. 5-2,0-0 OVC
77
Southeastern La. 1-5,0-0 Southland
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee St. | 43 | 48 | 91 |
| Southeastern La. | 48 | 29 | 77 |
Tennessee State men’s basketball secured a 91-77 victory against Southeastern Louisiana in the consolation game at the Emerald Coast Classic on Saturday, with five Tigers scoring at least 10 points.
The Tigers (5-2) exhibited balanced scoring, as five players reached double figures. EJ Bellinger led the way with 18 points, supported by Christian Brown contributing 18 points off the bench and Kinyon Hodges chipping in with 15 points and four steals.
In a display of effective ball movement, Tennessee State recorded 18 assists on 30 made field goals. Marcus Fitzgerald Jr. led in assists with six for the Tigers.
Tennessee State capitalized on 15 Southeastern Louisiana turnovers while committing 12 themselves. The Tigers converted these takeaways into 19 points, with Hodges leading the way with four steals.
How it Happened
Tennessee State initiated the scoring with an 8-0 run, capped by a bucket from Bellinger, giving them an early lead with 18:56 left in the first half. Despite surrendering the lead, the Tigers regrouped, narrowing the deficit to 53-52 and eventually seizing a 61-53 lead with a 9-0 run with 13:35 remaining. From there, they expanded the margin and coasted to the 91-77 win. Tennessee State received a significant boost from its bench, contributing 16 of its 48 total points in the period.
Game Notes
– Tennessee State excelled beyond the arc, hitting eight three-pointers.
– The team recorded a total of 18 assists.
– The Tennessee State bench played a pivotal role, contributing 28 points.
– Five players from Tennessee State scored 10 or more points.
– Tennessee State had a slim 31-30 edge on the boards.
– The defense forced 15 turnovers.
– Tennessee State dominated the offensive glass, collecting 14 offensive boards.
– Ej Bellinger and Christian Brown led the Tigers with 18 points each.
– Jaylen Jones grabbed a game-high seven rebounds.
Looking Ahead:
Tennessee State continues its road trip, facing Alabama A&M on Wednesday before hosting Austin Peay next Saturday evening.
