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Tennessee State University

Mark Freeman
66
Winner Chattanooga UTC 9-0,0-0 SoCon
63
Tennessee St. TSU 1-4,0-2 OVC
Winner
Chattanooga UTC
9-0,0-0 SoCon
66
Final
63
Tennessee St. TSU
1-4,0-2 OVC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Chattanooga UTC 25 41 66
Tennessee St. TSU 28 35 63

Game Recap: MEN'S BASKETBALL |

Tigers Nearly Knock Off Mocs in 66-63 Loss at Home

Score: Tennessee State 63, Chattanooga 66
Records: TSU (1-4, 0-2 OVC), UTC (9-0)
Location: Nashville, Tenn.
Arena: Gentry Center
Attendance: 147
 
NASHVILLE --- Mark Freeman, Big Blue's standout point guard, led the Tennessee State men's basketball team in the battle to defeat the undefeated Chattanooga Mocs Tuesday afternoon in the Gentry Center. TSU had its best shooting night of the season, holding UTC to just 36 percent from the floor. The defensive lockdown and offensive accuracy didn't prove fruitful on the Tigers' journey to knock off UTC, as the team lost in the final minute of action, 66-63.
 
While leading UTC for much of the 40 minute matchup, Freeman scored 20 points, pulled down five rebounds and dished out six assists for the Tigers. Two additional Tigers scored double-digits: Josh Linder 13 and Shakem Johnson 11.
 
Malachi Smith, the Mocs' 6-4, 205 pound athletic point guard scored 20 of his 29 points in the second period after entering the locker room down 28-25, lifting the team to its ninth victory of the season.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
HOW IT HAPPENED
  • Johnson won the jump ball allowing Monty Johal to put TSU on the board with a fade-away jumper.
  • Four minutes in, the Mocs had yet to make a field goal. TSU up 6-4 with UTC's only earned points made at the charity stripe.
  • Smith steal fast break dunk. 14-13.  
  • A 6:00 UTC scoring drought allowed the Tigers to go on an 8-0 run. Tigers lead 28-25 at the half.
  • With just a foot of space between himself and the defender, Johal pulled up for a three and sank it, 35-31.
  • Chattanooga within one as the Tigers foul the 90 percent free-throw shooter in Stefan Kenic. He makes one of the bonus and the score is tied.  
  • Freeman drives from the top of the key for an up-and-under lay. Returns on the next possession for a smooth jumper. On UTC next possession drew an offensive foul and ended the series scoring eight straight points.
  • TSU shooting accuracy increased to a season-high 61 percent halfway through the second half.
  • Freeman hit to Linder down low for the and-one. TSU increased its lead to ten, 48-38.
  • Big Blue's 13-point lead decreased to four thanks to a 9-0 Chattanooga run over 2:22 by M. Smith.
  • A fast break Johnson dunk ended the drought.
  • The Mocs were down just one point for over three minutes but took the lead with a M. Smith three, 60-58.
  • Smith scored the final nine points for UTC, lifting the team to a 66-63 win.
 
GAME NOTES
  • This marks the 35th matchup between the Tigers and the Mocs.
  • Chattanooga improves to 22-13 in the all-time series against TSU.
  • TSU is on a five-game losing streak against the Chattanooga.
  • Tennessee State is now 8-6 when taking on UTC at home.
 
UP NEXT
The Tigers return home after the holidays to open OVC play at home versus league-favorites Austin Peay, Wednesday, Dec. 30 with 8 p.m. tip. The men will tip directly after the Lady Tigers who play the Govs at 5 p.m.
 
Gallery: (12-22-2020) Men's Basketball vs Chattanooga
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