MARTIN, Tenn. — The Tennessee State men's basketball team never trailed and delivered a dominant defensive performance to secure a share of the Ohio Valley Conference regular-season title with a 67-42 road victory over UT Martin on Saturday at the Kathleen and Tom Elam Center.
With the win, TSU snaps a 31-year drought as the conference's top team at the conclusion of the regular season. The Tigers earned the No. 1 overall seed in the OVC Tournament and will play Friday at 7 p.m. at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana.
The Tigers (21-9, 15-5) held the Skyhawks to 32.6 percent shooting (15-for-46) from the field and just 19 percent (4-for-21) from three-point range. Tennessee State forced 19 turnovers and converted those takeaways into 20 points while limiting UT Martin to 21 points in each half.
Aaron Nkrumah led the Tigers with a game-high 20 points on 7-of-15 shooting, including 2-of-5 from three-point range and 4-of-4 at the free-throw line, while adding five rebounds and three steals. Travis Harper II added 16 points on 7-of-13 shooting with five rebounds, and Antoine Lorick III contributed six points, five rebounds and three blocks.
Tennessee State controlled the glass with a 39-28 rebounding advantage and grabbed 12 offensive rebounds that resulted in 12 second-chance points. The Tigers also finished with 32 points in the paint and 23 fast-break points.
The Tennessee State defense was active throughout, recording six blocks and 13 steals while holding UT Martin to just 21 points in each half.
How It Happened
After playing to a 6-6 tie, Tennessee State went on an 11-0 run with 14:52 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Travis Harper II, to take a 17-6 lead. The Tigers pushed the advantage to as many as 18 in the first half and entered the break with a 35-21 lead .
Following intermission, Tennessee State continued to extend the margin. An 8-0 run midway through the second half stretched the lead to 50-24 with 11:58 remaining. The Tigers later built their largest lead of the game at 33 points before closing out the 25-point victory.
Game Notes
» Tennessee State improved to 21-9 overall and 15-5 in OVC play.
» The Tigers never trailed in the contest.
» Tennessee State held UT Martin to 32.6 percent (15-for-46) shooting from the field.
» The Skyhawks were limited to 19 percent (4-for-21) from three-point range.
» Tennessee State outrebounded UT Martin 39-28.
» The Tigers recorded 12 offensive rebounds.
» Tennessee State scored 32 points in the paint.
» The Tigers finished with 23 fast-break points.
» Tennessee State forced 19 turnovers and scored 20 points off those takeaways.
» The Tigers recorded six blocks and 13 steals as a team.
» Aaron Nkrumah finished with a game-high 20 points and five rebounds.
» Travis Harper II added 16 points and five rebounds.
