JACKSON, Miss. – A late basket with time running down by Jackson State was the difference as TSU fell 71-69 Saturday evening.
Both teams started the contest out sizzling as TSU was 7-for-11 while JSU went 6-for-11 within the first eight minutes as the score was tied at 16-all. However, the game would change immediately in favor of Jackson State as the Tigers went on a 17-4 run over the next 7:23 to claim a 33-20 lead at the 4:48 mark as JSU (10-18, 9-6 SWAC) played nearly perfect going 7-for-8 from the field as well as 1-for-1 both long range as well as the charity stripe. TSU was 0-for-5 during that same stretch.
Despite the massive run by JSU, TSU would stick to its game and play hard eventually getting to within 36-29 with 1:08 left in the first half before opening the second half on a 13-4 run to take a 42-41 lead with 16:09 left in the game.
The rest of the game was like watching a battle of "anything you can do, I can do better" with both teams working hard to keep themselves in a position to make one final push.
Unfortunately for TSU, it was Jackson State that made that final push when down 61-57 to win the game with a 14-8 run over the final 7:03 of the game. TSU held a 69-66 lead with 1:03 left but a JSU putback off a missed free throw tied it all 69-all. TSU had two attempts for the lead on its next possession but couldn't capitalize as Romelle Mansel's emphatic dunk with 15 seconds left in the game gave JSU a 71-69 lead. TSU had one last chance but couldn't score with time winding down as JSU held on for the win.
The loss now has Texas Southern in a tie for seventh with Bethune-Cookman at 7-9 in the SWAC while Jackson State leap frogged itself into a tie for third at 9-6.
Joirdon Karl Nicholas was one of five TSU ballers to score in double-digits with 16 points and hauling in 14 rebounds for a double-double performance. Davon Barnes was close behind with 14 points while P.J. Henry and John Walker III had 11 points each in addition to Kolby Granger's 10 points. Coltie Young led the way for Jackson State with 19 points.
UP NEXT
TSU continues onward in Mississippi to face off against Alcorn State at 8 p.m. live on HBCUGO Monday night.
