For the second time this season, the TSU Tigers attempted a furious second-half comeback against Alcorn State but couldn’t finish the rally as ASU claimed a 75-72 win in a pivotal SWAC contest on Monday night.
Tied at 4-4, both teams would get cold from the field as they both went 1-of-5 from the field during a two-minute span. Alcorn State would start to warm up over the next four minutes as they went on a 12-1 run for a 16-5 lead with 12:18 remaining. Jordan Gilliam would take matters into his own hands for TSU with a big three-pointer at the 10:33 mark followed by baskets from John Walker III and Karl Nicholas during an 11-4 run which closed the gap to 20-16.
ASU’s Justin Thomas answered with a layup for a 22-16 lead but TSU would remain close as they trailed 24-20 with 6:04 left. Once again, ASU would use the long ball to counter as Dominic Brewton hit a pair of three-pointers for an 8-2 surge and a 32-22 lead at the 1:59 mark. Bryson Etienne hit a bucket and two free throws to get the deficit within single digits late but ASU closed the half out with a jumper to lead 34-26.
Brison Gresham opened the second half with a dunk to close the margin to 34-28 but that would be the only offensive action as ASU outscored the Tigers 9-3 fueled by a pair of three-pointers as they led 43-31. P.J. Henry hit a much-needed three-pointer to get within nine (43-34) but in what would be the theme of the night, ASU found ways to counter every time it appeared TSU was ready to start rolling.
Both teams were perfect from the field over the next 2:31 as ASU led 45-34. They would lead by as much as 13 until John Walker III’s three-pointer with 13:09 left saw TSU get within seven (46-39). ASU’s Darrious Agnew scored again to thwart TSU’s latest threat and push the lead to nine as it sparked another perfect-shooting run by ASU as they led 58-45 with 10:18 left.
It was an even contest over the next seven minutes as TSU outscored the Braves 16-12 as five Tigers would score. Down 70-61 with 2:30 left, TSU turned the jets on with a full-court press which saw them rattle the lead down to 74-72 with three seconds left. ASU’s Justin Thomas went 1-for-2 from the line with three seconds left but Jordan Gilliam’s desperation heave fell short as moved ahead of TSU in the SWAC standings.
Etienne led TSU with 15 points followed by Brison Gresham’s double-double of 12 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks. John Walker III scored 13 off the bench.
TSU closes out the 2021-22 regular season at home against Prairie View A&M on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
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