Score: Tennessee State 63, Belmont 88
Records: TSU (0-3, 0-2), BU (7-1, 2-0)
Location: Nashville, Tenn.
Venue: Gentry Center
Attendance: 224
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NASHVILLE --- Newcomer
Shakwon Barrett had a breakout game in the Tigers' home opener versus Belmont Friday night leading Tennessee State with 17 points, three rebounds, three steals and two assists.
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Big Blue battled through the first half, gaining a two-point lead over BU seven minutes into the action. Barrett notched nine points, while the rest of the team combined for another 18 to hold the Bruins to just a three-possession lead at the half.
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Belmont finished the game off with hot hands and feet behind the three-point arc shooting 7-for-13 from the distance while the Tigers were stagnant. JaCobi Wood, freshman guard who's won Ohio Valley Conference Freshman of the week multiple times held down the court.
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After the matchup, Big Blue is tied for last with Tennessee Tech while Belmont is tied for first with Jacksonville State.
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INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- TSU Leaders
- The Bruins beat the Tigers on the boards, outrebounding TSU 24-42.
- TSU went 10-13 (83.3 percent) from the courtesy stripe, marking the first time of the season Big Blue has shot over sixty percent at the line.
- Mark Freeman improves to three straight games scoring double digits.
- Belmont went deep into its bench recording 49 compared to TSU's  18.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Offensive prowess and defensive effort helped TSU hold conference-champions to a close 20 minutes of the matchup.
- Mark Freeman hit two of Big Blue's ten free throws making it a two-possession game with a minute left in the half.
- The Bruins held Big Blue off as the teams entered the break 34-27.
- The first half's offensive leader Shakwon Barrett extended his prowess into the second half quickly driving his way to another eight points.
- Belmont began to sink every shot thrown up beyond the arc, increasing its first half average of nine to 53.8 percent.
- Down 22 points, any comeback TSU hoped for dwindled away as Jacobi Wood made four free throws and four field goals to lead the Bruins offensively.
- The Bruins closed the evening with one of its eight three-pointers, 88-63.
GAME NOTES
- Belmont extends its five-game winning streak over Tennessee State to six.
- TSU trails in the all-time series against BU, 24-13.Â
UP NEXT
The Tigers have a quick turnaround as they take on Crowley's Ridge Saturday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. in the Gentry Center.
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