COOKEVILLE, TENN. — Travis Harper II collected a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, but the Tennessee State men's basketball team fell to Tennessee Tech, 77-74, on Saturday afternoon at the Eblen Center. 

The Tigers (14-15, 10-8 OVC) had three players score in double figures, led by Justus Jackson, who had 19 points. Harper II tacked on a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds and Aaron Nkrumah chipped in as well with 10 points and four assists.

Tennessee State out-rebounded Tennessee Tech 38-35 in Saturday's game, led by Harper II's 11 boards.

The Tennessee State defense held Tennessee Tech shooters to just 39.7 percent from the field, including 25.7 percent from three-point range.

How It Happened

After jumping out to a 31-28 advantage, Tennessee State went on a 7-0 run with 3:36 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Carlous Williams, to increase its lead to 38-28. The Tigers then lost some of that lead, but still entered halftime with a 40-33 advantage. Tennessee State did most of its first half damage in the paint, scoring 20 of its 40 points close to the basket.

Tennessee Tech proceeded to take a 73-64 lead before Tennessee State went on a 5-0 run, finished off by Travis Harper Ii's three, to shrink the deficit to 73-69 with 48 seconds to go in the contest. The Tigers kept their comeback going, holding the lead with 12:07 left to play, but Tennessee Tech managed to hold on for the 77-74 win. Tennessee State got a boost from its bench in the period, as non-starters accounted for nine of its 34 total points.

Game Notes
» Travis Harper II notched a double-double for the Tigers with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
» The Tigers held the Golden Eagles to only 39.7 percent shooting from the field.
» Tennessee State lost despite a 38-35 rebounding advantage.
» Justus Jackson led the Tigers with 19 points.
» Tennessee State got a game-high 11 rebounds from Travis Harper II.