CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. –Antoine Lorick III scored 22 points and Dante Harris added 20 as Tennessee State used a strong second-half performance to defeat Southeast Missouri State 79-71 on Thursday night at the Show Me Center.

Lorick III and Harris powered the Tigers (20-9, 14-5) offensively, with Lorick III finishing 6-of-13 from the field and 9-of-12 at the free-throw line while adding nine rebounds and two blocks  . Harris shot 6-of-14 from the floor and a perfect 8-of-8 at the line, while contributing five rebounds and four assists. Aaron Nkrumah filled the stat sheet with 12 points, nine rebounds, seven steals and two blocks , and Travis Harper II chipped in 18 points on 5-of-10 shooting, including 2-of-4 from three-point range and 6-of-6 at the line.

Tennessee State shot 36-of-42 (85.7 percent) from the free-throw line and held Southeast Missouri State to 37.9 percent shooting from the field. The Tigers out-rebounded the Redhawks 36-27, including 10 offensive rebounds, and totaled six blocks and nine steals as a team. TSU also scored 21 fast-break points in the win.

How It Happened

After falling behind 17-13, Tennessee State answered with a 6-0 run midway through the first half to take a 19-17 lead. The Redhawks later pushed their advantage to as many as 10 points in the opening period before the Tigers closed the half on a 5-0 spurt, capped by a Travis Harper II three-pointer with 41 seconds remaining, to trim the deficit to 38-33 at the break.

Tennessee State surged in the second half, shooting 43.3 percent from the field and 19-of-21 (90.5 percent) from the free-throw line over the final 20 minutes. Trailing 51-48, the Tigers used an 8-2 stretch to move in front and later extended the margin to eight points in the closing seconds. TSU outscored SEMO 46-33 in the second half to secure the 79-71 victory.

Game Notes

» The Tigers improved to 20-9 overall and 14-5 in OVC play.
» Tennessee State shot 36-of-42 (85.7 percent) at the free-throw line.
» Antoine Lorick III finished with 22 points on 6-of-13 shooting and added nine rebounds.
» Dante Harris totaled 20 points, five rebounds and four assists.
» Travis Harper II added 18 points and went 6-of-6 at the free-throw line.
» Aaron Nkrumah recorded 12 points, nine rebounds, seven steals and two blocks.
» Tennessee State held Southeast Missouri State to 37.9 percent shooting from the field.
» The Tigers posted a 36-27 rebounding advantage and collected 10 offensive rebounds.
» Tennessee State recorded six blocks and nine steals as a team.