NASHVILLE – The Tennessee State men's basketball team secured a victory over Austin Peay, 65-61, on Saturday afternoon.
 
FIRST HALF: Austin Peay's freshman sensation, Elijah Hutchins-Everett, scored the first basket of the game. TSU responded with five unanswered points to grab an early advantage. Several minutes into the game, the Governors went on a 10-4 scoring stretch to take an 18-11 lead. Kassim Nicholson went on a tear for Tennessee State as he contributed eight points during a 12-2 run to regain the lead, 23-20. Despite TSU going scoreless over the final 4:58, the game remained even at the break. The Tigers drained a three-pointer at the buzzer; however, the shot was waved off by replay as the time expired before the shot was released. As a team, TSU shot 50% from the field in the opening stanza. Kenny Cooper filled up the stat sheet with seven points, three rebounds and two assists. || TIED 31-31
 
SECOND HALF: Tennessee State regained the momentum out of the break with consecutive layups from Nicholson and Emmanuel Dowuona. The teams exchanged baskets throughout the first ten minutes, including Carlos Marshall Jr. converting two three-pointers. Midway through the half, TSU led by three and scored nine unanswered points to extend the advantage to 58-46. Despite one field goal in the final 5:25, the Tigers were able to cash in five of six at the free-throw line to seal the game. Tennessee State matched their first half percentage (50%) as they made 13-of-26 from the field. || TSU, 65-61
 
INSIDE THE STATS:

• Kassim Nicholson led the team with a game-high 16 points, on 7-of-9 from the field, and eight rebounds.
• Shakem Johnson logged 11 points, on 5-of-7 from the field, and six rebounds.
• Tennessee State shot 50% (24-of-48) from the field.

BEYOND THE STATS:

• TSU recorded their second straight victory at the Gentry Center.
• In four of seven OVC games, the Tigers have shot over 49% from the field.
• After Monday's contest, the Tigers will have played three games in five days in back-to-back weeks. 

UP NEXT: Tennessee State will hit the road for three consecutive road games, as they begin the trip against Morehead State on Monday night at 7:00pm.