Double Overtime Loss Ends Tennessee State’s Historic Season

(St. Louis, MO) – A wild and entertaining game ended Tennessee State’s historic season Tuesday night. The Tigers (20-11) dropped a double overtime decision to Ball State (20-13) in first round action in the College Insider.com Postseason Tournament.

The final was 78 to 73 and featured six ties and seven lead changes.

Senior Keron DeShields finished his one year career at TSU with a game high 25 points. Junior Tahjere McCall scored 16 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and added four assists and four steals. TSU couldn’t keep up with the Cardinals on the boards. Ball State won the rebounding battle 51 to 34 and outscored the Tigers 17 to 10 in second chance points.

TSU’s advantage came with their ball hawking defense where they forced 31 turnovers, including 19 steals.

The game was tied at 52 at the end of regulation, and at 64 after the first overtime.

After winning just five games in each of the last two years, the Tigers tied a program record with 20 wins. Head Coach Dana Ford loses four players to graduation, including Demontez Loman, Xavier Richards and Marcus Roper.

Ohio Valley Conference teams have split their first two postseason games as Morehead State won an opening round game in the College Basketball Invitational. Two OVC teams are in action tonight as Belmont plays at Georgia in the National Invitation Tournament, and UT Martin tips with Central Michigan in the CBI.

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