BOX SCORE 

Final Score: TSU 82, EKU 81
Records: TSU (4-11, 1-2 OVC), EKU (7-9, 0-3 OVC)
Venue: Gentry Center
Location: Nashville, Tenn. 
Attendance: 411

NASHVILLE ---  The Tennessee State men's basketball team won its first Ohio Valley Conference game at home Thursday evening, defeating the Eastern Kentucky Colonels, 82-81.

The win snaps a six-game losing streak for the Tigers, and marks the first conference win under head coach Brian "Penny" Collins.

Tennessee State fought back from a small seven-point deficit at the half, leading for just 3:57 of the game – 2:39 of which was in the second period.

Five TSU players scored in double digits for the second time this season, shooting 50 percent from the field, 92.9 percent from the free throw line.

TSU moves into its final matchup of its four-game home stand, 4-11 on the season. 1-2 in league play.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• TSU Leaders
  • Points: Kamar McKnight - 16
  • Assists: Armani Chaney - 4
  • Blocks: Dave Morris - 2
  • Steals: Armani Chaney and Daniel Cummings – 2
• TSU tied for its season-low turnovers with 11, committing only two in the second half.
• TSU's bench provided valuable minutes, putting up 49 points for the Tigers.
• Redshirt freshman Dave Morris scored a career-high 14 points, adding a steal and a rebound.
• Five Tigers finished with double-digit points: McKnight 16, Dave Morris 14, Armani Chaney 11, Michael Littlejohn 10 and Tripp Davis 10.
• Four Tigers were in foul trouble with DaJion Henderson fouling out.

 HOW IT HAPPENED

• Stokley Chaffee, Jr. pulled up for a jumper to kick off the game, followed by a Tripp Davis shot from the wing and an up-and-around layup from Dave Morris to give TSU a one-point lead.
• Eastern Kentucky led at the half, 43-36, thanks to a double-digit scoring half from guard Jomaru Brown, and a last second tipin from Peyton Broughton.
• With seven minutes on the clock, Daniel Cummings pulled up for a three to put TSU in the lead for the first time in the second period.
• In the final play, with 1.7 seconds on the clock, Dave Morris made a huge stop, causing 6-9 Nick Mayo to miss what would be the game winning jumper.

GAME NOTES

• TSU is now 30-34 in the all-time series versus the Colonels, 16-15 while playing at home.
• This marks the first OVC win for Tennessee State's head coach Brian "Penny" Collins.
• The win snaps a six-game losing streak for the Tigers.
• Kamar McKnight earned a technical foul.

UP NEXT
TSU ends its four-game home stand Saturday, Jan. 10 as it hosts Morehead State. Tipoff is set for 7: 30 p.m.

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