TSU won its fourth-straight contest with clutch plays down the stretch as they defeated Jackson State 81-73 on Monday inside the H&PE Arena.
Forced to play earlier due to expected inclement weather in Houston and down two starters, TSU would jump out to a 12-6 lead early thanks to six early points from Josh Farmer. Both teams were even on the scoreboard over the next five minutes as JSU would use the three-point line to its advantage to crawl back into the contest. However, TSU would continue to extend its lead as they led 27-20 at the 6:40 mark but Jackson State once again used the three-point line to its advantage as they hit a trio of three-pointers over the next 4:07 during a 15-7 surge en route to a 35-34 halftime advantage.
The second half was nip-and-tuck as TSU opened the half with a 13-6 run for a 47-41 lead after Kavion McClain's three-pointer at the 13:43 mark. JSU would answer with a three-pointer on the ensuing possession but Jaylin Jackson-Posey's two free throws pushed the lead back to five. The rare four-point play by Jayme Mitchell, Jr. from Jackson State cut the TSU lead to 49-48 and after a pair of missed TSU free throws, Tamarion Hoover nailed a trey to give JSU a 51-49 margin with 11:57 left.
Kavion McClain's trey moved TSU back on top 52-51 as the Tigers upped their margin to as much as five (58-53) with 8:34 left after Jaylen Wysinger's trey. However, JSU would reclaim a 59-58 lead with 6:26 left after a pair of Hoover free throws.
The lead would change hands on six occasions over the next three minutes as a three-pointer from Mitchell, Jr. moved JSU on top 66-65 with 3:37 left. Duane Posey, who's making a name for himself with his intensity in the paint, responded with a big basket in the paint to move TSU ahead 67-66. JSU would miss a three-pointer on the ensuing basket and Kenny Hunter hit a big jumper from the free throw line with 2:36 left for a 69-66 margin. However, TSU was whistled for a technical on the play and JSU flipped the three-point deficit to one (69-68).
JSU committed a costly turnover on its next possession as the ball was thrown too low to the post and rolled out of bounds. TSU responded with a big three-pointer from McClain for a 72-68 lead and JSU missed a long three-point attempt on its next possession. Duane Posey was fouled with 1:12 left and hit two free throws for a 74-68 lead.
JSU's Shannon Grant hit one-of-two free throws after being fouled and they were forced to prolong the game by sending TSU to the free throw line. Despite the pressure mounting, TSU remained calm, cool and collected as McClain and Kehlin Farooq was a combined 7-for-7 from the stripe to seal the win.
McClain scored a game-high 20 points while Posey added 15 followed by 10 from Wysinger. Jackson-Posey and Kolby Granger had seven rebounds apiece.
Since 2007, TSU is 25-14 against JSU and has won 17 of the past 21 dating back to 2015. TSU has won 11 of the past 14 against JSU. Since 2012, TSU is 20-8 against JSU.
TSU is back in action on Saturday at Alabama A&M as the contest will begin at 4 p.m. in Huntsville, Ala.
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