Score: Tennessee State 71, Tennessee Tech 74
Records: TSU (2-8, 1-6), TTU (2-13, 2-6)
Location: Cookeville, Tenn.
Arena: Eblen Center
Attendance: 689
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COOKEVILLE, Tenn. --- A last minute push by the Tigers was not enough Saturday evening in the Eblen Center as the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (2-13, 2-6) garnered their second win of the season, 74-71.
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Tennessee State's bigs were the highlight of the night as
Yusuf Mohamed led with a career-high 14 points, Johnson matching his efforts notching his third double-digit scoring performance of the season with 14 points. Mohamed also took care of the team defensively, leading the team with eight rebounds and three steals.
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The Tigers are now 2-8, 1-6 in Ohio Valley Conference play leading into a home stand beginning next Tuesday.
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INSIDE THE NUBMERS
- TSU's Leaders
- Two in blue and white scored double digits, Shakem Johnson 14 and Mark Freeman 11.
- The Tigers forced 20 Golden Eagle turnovers.
- Tech grabbed more defensive rebounds than TSU's total rebound count, 30-26, respectively.
- TSU's bench showed up offensively, producing 30 points.
- Big Blue scored 36 points in the paint.
- TTU notched 10 shots from three-point distance.
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HOW IT HAPPENED
- Four turnovers in the first four and a half minutes of action. Tech led 4-0.
- Out of the media timeout, Mark Freeman sank a three from the top of the key to put TSU on the board.
- The Golden Eagles answered with a 6-0 run cut short by Monty Johal's jumper. On the very next play, Big Blue's defense came up big for a steal resulting in a Yusuf Mohamed dunk assisted by TSU's assists leader Mark Freeman.
- Another 7-0 TTU run put the Golden Eagles up 19-8 before Shakwon Barrett pulled up for a three.
- Big Blue's shooting accuracy improved helping the Tigers decrease the 11-point lead Tech held over the team since minute one of the first period. TSU down 27-21.
- Mohamed closed out the half at the charity stripe after drawing a foul. Tigers entered the break down 34-27.
- Moody drove to the basket for the first bucket of the half, creating a momentum that would help the Tigers capitalize on the next four possessions, including a three-point play by Marcus Fitzgerald Jr.
- Down 12, the Tigers go on an 8-0 run to be within four.
- Freeman drive, kick out to Fitzgerald, Jr. on the wing. TSU within two, 68-66.
- Shakem notched the assist in a Moody corner three off the inbound with 16 seconds left on the clock.
- Tech closed the night with a free throw, 74-71.
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GAME NOTES
- TTU takes the lead in the all-time series against TSU, 35-35.
- Collins is now 3-2 against the Golden Eagles. TTU snapped the Tigers' three-game win streak.
- In Clarksville, the Tigers are now 16-19.
- Mohamed marked a career-high 14 points, adding eight rebounds and three steals.Â
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UP NEXT
The Tigers return home to make up its rematch against Southeast Missouri, Tuesday, Jan. 19 in the Gentry Center. Tip on ESPN+ and the Big Blue Sports Network is set for 6 p.m.
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