A late rally came up short as TSU dropped a 73-64 decision at Jackson State on Monday night.
TSU scored the first points of the game but JSU countered with an 10-0 run over the next four minutes to claim a 10-2 lead. Grayson Carter ended the drought with a bucket slightly under the 15-minute mark but JSU's Jordan O'Neal answered to up the lead to eight. The Tigers drew to within 12-8 after baskets from Zaire Hayes and PJ Henry but TSU couldn't score on its next two possessions as JSU took advantage with a three-pointer to up the margin back to nine at 17-8.
JSU would lead by as 12 over the next few minutes but TSU fought back with a 7-0 run sparked by five points from Jaylen Wysinger as they trailed 26-21 with 3:18 remaining. However, the momentum was brief as JSU went back up by double-digits en route to a 31-21 halftime lead.
JSU would lead by as much as 17 on several occasions within the first 15 minutes of the second half. For the second straight game, TSU would find a late spark and battle back with a 15-0 run which saw PJ Henry score nine points while the TSU defense forced four turnovers.
Down 59-57 with 2:27 left, JSU's Ken Evans was fouled and connected on two free throws to move ahead 61-57. TSU had several opportunities to draw closer down the stretch but JSU closed out the game 14-of-14 from the charity stripe to seal the win.
Henry led TSU with 20 points and three steals while Wysinger added 13. TSU is back in action on Saturday against Alabama A&M at 2 p.m. inside the H&PE Arena.
