BOX SCORE 

Final Score: Tennessee State 79, Lipscomb 78
Records: TSU (2-1), Lipscomb (1-2)
Location: Nashville, Tenn.  
Venue: Gentry Center
Attendance: 4,582

NASHVILLE --- One of the smoothest last-second mid-range jumpers you've ever seen lifted the Tennessee State men's basketball team to a 79-78 win over Lipscomb Tuesday night in a packed Gentry Center.

The admiral Michael Littlejohn scored a career-high 23 points versus the Bisons, including the jumper in the paint for TSU's second home win of the season – leaving the Tigers undefeated moving into the Battle of Jefferson Street set for Monday.

TSU's offense was punctuated by West Virginia transfer Wesley Harris who went 6-for-11 from the floor, adding a three-pointer. Jy'lan Washington, who had 11 points on the night, worked the paint for trips to the free-throw line, where he shot 3-for-4.  

Down 44-40 at the half, the Tigers' walked on the court with a determination to outscore, outrebound and outplay the Bisons for the second period.

KJ Johnson, the Bisons' leading scorer played a tough second half, scoring 14 points off the bench for LU. The Tennessee freshman hit a career-high 16 points, keeping the Bisons' in the running, as TSU took a 13 point lead with 13 minutes left of play.

Down one with seven seconds on the clock, Johnson pulled up for a jumper to take the lead over Big Blue, 78-77. Littlejohn crossed the half-court line, dribbled through traffic and pulled up for a quick and smooth jumper as the Tiger fans celebrated the victory against crosstown foe, Lipscomb, 79-78.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• TSU Leaders:
  • Points: Michael Littlejohn – 23*
  • Rebounds: Jy'lan Washington – 13
  • Assists: Mark Freeman - 6
  • Blocks: Wesley Harris - 1
  • Steals: Johnson/Littlejohn/Marshall - 1
• Jy'lan Washington scored his first double-double as a Tigers with 11 points and 13 rebounds.
• Four Tigers scored in double-digit figures: Littlejohn 23, Harris 13, Johnson 11, Washington 11.
• Big Blue outboarded the Bisons 38-22, grabbing 23 in the second half alone.

*career high

HOW IT HAPPENED

• TSU took possession of the ball to kick off the night with Wesley Harris following through for a second-chance layup.
• The Bisons fought down low to post four lays in the paint, while TSU shot 80 percent from the field to tie it at 9.
• The Tigers went on a 6-0 run in just one minute of action to increase its lead 12-9 over Lipscomb early in the first period.
• Lipscomb answered with three jumpers and five free-throws to take the lead, 20-17.
• Down 23-21, Lipscomb attempted a quick pass inside for a layup, but the attempt was denied by a mean Wesley Harris block.
• Even at 13-of-22 from the field with 3:54 remaining, Lipscomb's accuracy at the free-throw line made the difference in the 36-31 lead over TSU.
• A defensive stop by Ravel Moody set up Michael Littlejohn for an impressive three-point shot from the wing as the clock ran down in the first half.
• The Bisons led TSU 46-41 at the half.
• Almost two minutes passed before Jy'lan Washington was able to lay in the first points of the second half. He followed the play with a quick inbound pass from Michael Littlejohn for another TSU two.
• Another two minutes elapsed before Washington had another chance for a second-chance tip—in.
• Michael Littlejohn helped the Tigers take its first lead since the first half with a pull-up three, assisted by Jy'lan Washington.
• The crowd became electric as TSU went on another 7-0 run, punctuated by two dunks and a Littlejohn trey. Big Blue took its largest lead of the night, 62-53.
• Lipscomb's sole points within multiple scoring droughts were thanks to trips to the free-throw line.
• Two consecutive made field goals by the Bisons decreased the Tigers' lead, but only by a few as TSU continued to lead LU by 10.
• Lipscomb's KJ Johnson went on a seven-point run to put the Bisons within one point, 77-76.
• Johnson pulled up for a jumper to take the lead with seven seconds on the clock.
• Michael Littlejohn sped down the court for jumper through traffic to end the night, 79-78.

GAME NOTES

• This marks the 10^th meeting between TSU and Lipscomb. TSU improves to 4-6 in the all-time series.
• Brian "Penny" Collins is now 1-1 against the Bisons, undefeated at home.
• Shakem Johnson fouled out with 6:33 left in the game.

UP NEXT

The Tigers continue its home stand on Monday, Nov. 18 as TSU hosts Fisk for the Battle of Jefferson Street. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m.
 

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