Tigers Fall In SWAC Home Opener
UAPB entered Saturday’s game as the highest scoring team in the SWAC but TSU made it a point to limit the Golden Lions’ offensive opportunities and did just that throughout the
game.
The contest was tied at 10 with 13:34 left until a 7-2 UAPB run saw them claim a 17-12 lead. TSU answered with an 8-3 run of its own over the next three minutes led by Jonathan Cisse’s four points to cut the deficit to 17-14. Both teams stayed close with each other as TSU jumped ahead 25-24 after Cisse’s turnaround with 3:26 left and closed the half ahead 34-27 as Cisse connected on a bucket with no time left on the clock.
TSU had a hot start to the second half as Kehlin Farooq scored six points to spark a 16-13 surge as the Tigers led 50-40 with 11:49 remaining. However, UAPB switched roles with
TSU as they were near perfect from the field (8-of-9) over the next 5:02 during a 21-5 surge while TSU was 1-of-8 as UAPB jumped ahead 61-55.
Jaylen Wysinger’s three-point play followed by Zaire Hayes’ free throw drew TSU to within 61-59 with 4:36 left. Both teams were even down the stretch as UAPB tried to pull away as Joe French’s three-pointer was followed by a missed TSU three-pointer. UAPB would miss the ensuing three-pointer but followed it with an offensive rebound that led to a free throw and a 66-61 lead with 2:08 left.
Grayson Carter was tough in the paint on the next drive with a three-point play to get within 66-64 but UAPB managed to stay ahead with six free throws and TSU’s struggles from the three-point line as they were 0-for-5 down the stretch. However, the Tigers had a chance to send it to overtime as time expired but Cisse’s three-pointer fell short at the buzzer.
Cisse led TSU with 21 points and nine rebounds while Farooq had 13 points with seven boards. Carte also added seven rebounds and nine points.
TSU will host Mississippi Valley State on Monday at 2 p.m.
Courtesy: TSUSports.com
