Evanston, Ill. - The Tennessee State University men's basketball team held an eight-point lead down the stretch but fell victim to a late run by Northwestern, losing their first game of the Chicago Invitational Challenge, 69-62, at the Welsh-Ryan Arena (11/22).

In their best game played collectively, the Tigers dropped their third straight, remaining winless on the season.

Josh Sain scored 14 points and Wil Peters tied a career high, 13 points, hitting 4-of-8 from the floor, including 3-of-4 from three-point range to lead TSU respectively.

Robert Covington followed with nine points from 4-of-9 shooting and Jacquan Nobles hit two three-pointers and two free throws scoring eight points.

The Tigers shot 42 percent from the floor and a season high, 45 percent from behind the arc. TSU's bench outscored Northwestern's reserves 20-13, with the Wildcats (2-1) shooting 49 percent as a team.  

Trailing 26-13, TSU jumped on a 20-6 run, holding Northwestern scoreless in the last six minutes, to close the first half with a 33-32 lead. TSU went 5-of-11 from behind the arc in the first 20 minutes of play for 46 percent, hitting four during the closing minutes.

At 18:09 in the second half, TSU trailed 39-35, back to-back three-point shots by Peters and Sain regained the lead 41-39. The last half of play experienced three lead changes with the Tigers holding their second largest margin of the game, 49-42, with 13:56 remaining.

Leading 61-57 with 5:26 on the clock, the Tigers surrendered a 16-1 run with Northwestern guard Michael Thompson scoring 13 of his game high 31 points. The Tigers missed several opportunities to answer back, shooting 2-of-4 from the free-throw line and committing five turnovers in their final six possessions.

Thompson was 9-of-18 from the floor, 5-of-13 from behind the arc and 8-of-10 from the free-throw line.

The Tigers will travel to Ames, Iowa to match-up with Iowa State in game two of the Chicago Invitational Challenge. Tip-off is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 7 p.m. inside the James Hilton Coliseum.

Iowa State (4-0) has defeated every team faced at the start of the season by 20 or more points. The Cyclones dropped Mississippi Valley State at home, 96-55, in their first game of the CIC.

ISU posted three players in double figures. Craig Brackins managed a double-double performance, scoring a game high 28 points (11-of-17) and 12 rebounds. Marquis Gilstrap added 21 points from 8-of-11 shooting and Scott Christopherson scored 10.

ISU holds the series record versus the Tigers, 2-0, winning the last game at home during the 2005-06 season, 59-51.