Score: Tennessee State 60, SIU-Edwardsville 68
Records: TSU (3-13, 2-11), SIUE (7-8, 5-4)
Location: Edwardsville, Ill.
Arena: First Community Arena
Attendance: No fans allowed
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EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. --- The Tennessee State Tigers continued its road-swing at SIU-Edwardsville Thursday afternoon with a 68-60 loss in its first trip to the First Community Arena since 2018. Â
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Shakem Johnson returned to the court after a week hiatus with a career-high 30 point performance, adding nine rebounds.
Mark Freeman registered his third-straight double-digit night with 12 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals.
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The Tigers recovered from an 11-0 Cougar run that left the team in a 13-point hole with just six minutes remaining in the half and entered the break down, 36-28.
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In the hunt for its first road win, Big Blue used its size inside to put points on the board in the second period. Johnson scored 14 of his 30 points in the final 20 minutes, all in the paint. The final basket from the Tigers brought the team within six with 22 seconds left on the clock. The game was made at the free throw line with the final points made by SIUE's Adewunmi. Â
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INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- TSU LEADERS
- TSU scored 20 points off of forced turnovers.
- The Tigers' quick transition resulted in 13 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After four minutes of action, the teams were tied at 6.
- A 20-6 run by the Cougars lifted SIUE to a 15-point lead over the Tigers with just six minutes to play in the first half.
- The Tigers used quick transitions to get to the basket and closed the scoring gap to eight at the half.
- Defense anchored down causing turnovers and last second shots by the Cougars in the second period. Mason Green blocked two shots in back-to-back SIUE possessions.
- Foul trouble hurt the Tigers efforts as the Cougars went 11-for-17 from the charity stripe.
- Second-chance points assisted Big Blue as the Tigers matched SIUE's second-half 32 points, which wasn't enough to garner its first road win. Â Â
GAME NOTES
- This marks the 14th meeting between Tennessee State and SIUE.
- SIUE improves to 9-5 in the all-time series against TSU.
- Coach Collins is 1-3 against the Cougars.
- TSU is 4-3 when taking on SIUE in Edwardsville.
- Amorey Womack received a technical foul.
UP NEXT
Big Blue ends its road swing at Eastern Illinois Saturday, Feb. 6. Tip is set for 4 p.m.
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