Box Score MARTIN, Tenn. – The Tennessee State men's basketball team earned their second road victory in conference play at UT Martin on Saturday afternoon, 69-61.
 
FIRST HALF: UT Martin won the opening tip and K.J. Simon converted a layup on the game's first attempt. Tennessee State responded with seven consecutive points, as Marcus Fitzgerald Jr. generated five of the seven. The teams exchanged baskets in the opening five minutes and the Tigers regained the lead on a three-pointer from Kenny Cooper, 14-11. TSU extended the lead to 20-15 after six straight points from Kassim Nicholson. The Skyhawks were held scoreless for over five minutes during the middle of the half. Following the drought, UT Martin went on an 11-0 scoring stretch to even the score at 28. Shakem Johnson tallied his lone two points on the final possession of the half to give TSU a slim lead. The Skyhawks were held to 33.3% from the field, while the Tigers shot 42.4% in the opening stanza. || TSU, 32-30
 
SECOND HALF: The Skyhawks opened the half with a hook shot by Chris Rix to tie the game. The programs flip-flopped scoring stretches as TSU rattled off seven straight to regain the advantage, 39-33. UT Martin answered with nine unanswered points to acquire their first lead since the opening seconds, 41-39. The Tigers grabbed the lead after an 8-0 run, 45-41, as Johnson cashed in four points during the stretch. UTM's Simon recorded six consecutive points for the Skyhawks to trim the deficit to 55-51. With four minutes left, UT Martin took a one-point lead, 58-57. The Skyhawks fouled Fitzgerald Jr. on a three-point attempt, and the second-year freshman converted all three at the charity stripe. In the final minute, Cooper cashed in four free-throws to seal the game. || TSU, 69-61
 
INSIDE THE STATS:

• Kassim Nicholson secured his eighth double-double of the year with 17 points and 13 rebounds.
• Marcus Fitzgerald Jr. registered 17 points, including 8-of-8 at the free-throw line.
• Tennessee State had six players with at least 7 points, while the Tigers cashed in 18-of-21 at the charity stripe.
• UT Martin's K.J. Simon logged a game-high 21 points and three steals. 

BEYOND THE BOX:

• Nicholson's tied for second in the OVC with eight double-doubles.
• Fitzgerald Jr. matched his season-high with six rebounds.
• It was the lowest shooting percentage (37.5%) in a win this season for TSU. 

UP NEXT: Tennessee State welcomes Murray State to the Gentry Center on Thursday evening, as tip-off is scheduled for approx. 7:30pm.