In addition to Lorick III’s double-double, the Tigers (22-9) had been led by Aaron Nkrumah, who had 19 factors, 4 assists and three steals, and by Travis Harper II, who added 14 factors.
The Tennessee State offense was very productive from deep, pouring in 9 threes on 22 makes an attempt. Harper II was probably the most prolific shooter for the Tigers, draining 4 treys within the contest. As a group, TSU shot 47.3 % from the sector and 40.9 % from three-level vary whereas flattening seven of eight free throws.
The Tennessee State protection was an issue in Friday’s recreation, forcing 14 UT Martin turnovers. Those takeaways was 12 factors on the offensive finish of the ground. Nkrumah’s three steals led the best way individually for the Tigers. Tennessee State additionally managed the glass, outrebounding UT Martin 37-28 and amassing 13 offensive rebounds that helped create second-probability alternatives.
After leaping out to a 28-26 benefit, Tennessee State went on an 8-0 run with 2:47 left within the first half, culminating in a bucket from Travis Harper II, to extend its result in 36-26. The Tigers then misplaced a few of that lead, however nonetheless entered halftime with a 36-28 benefit. Tennessee State relied on its three-level capturing within the interval, flattening seven pictures to account for 21 of its 36 factors.
Tennessee State saved its lead intact earlier than happening a 6-0 run to develop the result in 53-39 with 11:27 to go within the contest. The Tigers later pushed the margin to as many as 20 factors halfway by way of the second half earlier than the Skyhawks narrowed the margin late. Tennessee State maintained management down the stretch and closed out the 68-55 win.
#2 MOREHEAD STATE 66, #3 SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 61
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Morehead State Men’s Basketball held a fast seven-level lead over Southeast Missouri within the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament semifinals Friday night time, however that benefit was erased as quick because the lead grew. The Eagles by no means stop although, regardless of trailing by as many as 9 within the second half, and MSU rallied time and time once more and at last gained the benefit with 27 seconds left earlier than holding on to defeat the Redhawks 66-61 on the Ford Center.
The victory despatched the OVC common-season co-champions into the title recreation on Saturday night time towards the opposite co champion, Tennessee State. Game time is 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Morehead State (20-12) reached the 20-win plateau for the fifth time within the final six seasons.
Morehead State will seem within the championship recreation for the fourth time previously six seasons, profitable the coveted trophy and NCAA Tournament berth in 2021 and 2024.
Anouar Mellouk erupted for a profession-excessive 22 factors, grabbed seven rebounds and blocked a pair of pictures, whereas Jon Carroll registered his eighth double-double with 10 factors and 14 rebounds to associate with three rejections. George Marshall notched his group-greatest twenty third double-determine scoring recreation with 14 factors and corralled a profession-excessive tying eight boards.
The Redhawks, who completed the season 20-13, constructed a 44-35 lead with 14:11 remaining and saved their distance to between 5 and 7 factors till the 5-minute mark. Marshall’s again door minimize landed him a thunderous dunk with 4:59 left that lastly tied the competition 54-all. SEMO pushed its cushion again to 61-57 with 2:40 remaining, however MSU shut down the SEMO scoring after that.
Davion Cunningham sank a pair of free throws to chop it to 61-59, after which Marshall hit certainly one of two free tosses with 1:46 left for a 61-60 recreation. SEMO missed 4 consecutive pictures (grabbing three offensive rebounds) within the subsequent 57 seconds earlier than Carroll secured a defensive rebound.
Chase Dawson, who was held to only subject targets, hit maybe a very powerful bucket of the night time with 27 ticks left. He drove to the left facet of the rim, faked and calmly sank a ten-footer to ship MSU forward 62-61. After a Redhawk turnover, the Eagles heaved a size-of-the-court docket in-bounds cross, caught by Josiah LeGree on the run, and he was deliberately fouled by Luke Almodovar with seven ticks left. LeGree hit each charity tosses earlier than Marshall was fouled and sank two extra with six seconds left. Marshall then stole the ultimate in-bounds cross by SEMO and iced the ultimate seconds.
Braxton Stacker led SEMO with 17 factors.
MSU managed to hit solely 38 % on the night time (3-od-12 from distance) however locked down the Redhawks to only 33 %. SEMO hit simply 9-of-30 (30 %) within the closing 20 minutes. MSU additionally out-rebounded their foes 44-40.
