The Tennessee State men’s basketball team continues to set records in head coach Nolan Smith’s first year.
And they aren’t done yet.
Led by junior forward Antonie Lorick III‘s 22 points and nine rebounds, the Tigers overcame a second-half deficit to defeat host Southeast Missouri State 79-71, securing their 20th win of the season.
TSU last won 20 games in 2015-16 under Dana Ford.
The Tigers took the lead for good on a Lorick free throw (61-60) with just under seven minutes left in the second half, then finished the game on an 18-11 burst keyed by baskets from Lorick, Dante Harris (20 points), and Aaron Nkrumah (12 points, nine rebounds).
Travis Harper II (18 points) made four free throws in the final minute to ensure the victory for Tennessee State.
The Tigers are 20-9 overall and are 14-5 in Ohio Valley Conference play, tied for UT-Martin for second place.
TSU visits UT-Martin in their regular season finale Saturday afternoon, and a win there would clinch second place and an automatic bye to the OVC tournament semifinals.
