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Tennessee State University

12
62
UT Martin UTM 3-5,1-3 OVC
74
Winner Tennessee St. TSU 2-6,1-4 OVC
UT Martin UTM
3-5,1-3 OVC
62
Final
74
Tennessee St. TSU
2-6,1-4 OVC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
UT Martin UTM 30 32 62
Tennessee St. TSU 33 41 74

Game Recap: MEN'S BASKETBALL |

Tigers Garner First OVC Win Over UT Martin

Score: Tennessee State 74, UT Martin 62
Records: TSU (2-6, 1-4) , UTM (3-5, 1-3)
Location: Nashville, Tenn.
Arena: Gentry Center
Attendance: 315
 
NASHVILLE --- Tennessee State men's basketball ran away with its first Ohio Valley Conference win of the season Thursday night in the Gentry Center versus the UT Martin Skyhawks, 74-62.
 
The Tiger backcourt consisting of sophomore point guard Mark Freeman and freshman Marcus Fitzgerald Jr. put up big numbers offensively. Freeman finished the night with 16 points, five assists, while Fitzgerald registered a career-high 21 points, three assists.
 
Down for much of the first half, the Tigers clawed its way through a nine-point deficit with a crowd pumping 10-point run kicked off with a Monty Johal three-pointer and closed out with a Josh Linder dunk.
 
The Tigers are now 2-6, 1-4 with 15 more contests in the regular season, one this Saturday against SEMO.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
HOW IT HAPPENED
  • After a few failed attempts at putting points on the board, a UT Martin euro step was denied by Shakwon Barrett with what would be one of many blocks.  
  • The Tigers struggled to sink a bucket until 4:31 into the first half, when Freeman pump-faked his way into a beautiful mid-range floater.
  • The Skyhawks began to fall into an offensive rhythm outscoring TSU, 6-13.
  • Intensity at the three-point line changed the scoring dynamic as TSU ties the score at 17.
  • Big Blue was on fire beyond the arc with seven threes in the first half – Johal, Fitzgerald, Freeman and Barrett.
  • Despite a comeback thanks to action at the charity stripe, TSU entered the half up 33-30.
  • The Skyhawks outscored the Tigers 8-2 in the first five minutes of the second period.
  • As the shot clock wound down, UTM drove to the basket with a shot at the buzzer that was denied by Mason Green which sparked some TSU momentum.
  • Shakem Johnson hit a soon-to-be SportsCenter top seven one-handed alley-oop.
  • TSU took a 45-42 lead as Fitzgerald pulled up for his third three-point shot before forcing the steal and returning it for the and-one.  
  • The Tigers remained in a rhythm for the remainder of the night going on multiple runs.
  • TSU closed the evening with four shots at the charity stripe, lifting Big Blue to its first OVC win 74-62. 
GAME NOTES
  • This marks the 63rd meeting between Tennessee State and UT Martin.
  • The Tigers now lead the all-time series 35-28.
  • Brian Collins is 2-2 while at the helm of TSU.
UP NEXT
OVC action results in a quick turnaround with another matchup on Saturday afternoon against the Redhawks of Southeast Missouri. Tip for the rematch is set for 4 p.m. on ESPN+ and the Big Blue Sports Network.
 
Gallery: (1-7-2021) Men's Basketball vs UT Martin
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