MORAGA, Calif. - Saint Mary's used a big second-half run to break open a tight game as Texas Southern fell 67-58 Friday night.
The first half was neck-and-neck from the opening tip as there were eight lead changes. TSU would take a 22-18 lead with 5:38 left afer Karl Nicholas' layup but SMC answered with a three-pointer to draw within 22-21. The Gaels would reclaim a 23-22 margin on its next possession and led until the 3:25 mark as TSU's John Walker III hit a jumper to knot the contest at 26-all. TSU regained the lead at the 2:51 mark after a pair of Nicholas' free throws but SMC would knot it at 28-all. The Tigers would fight back to close out the half ahead 31-28 after PJ Henry's three-pointer with a second left.
The beginning of the second half resembled the first as neither team could separate from each other. Down 41-40 with 13:04 remaining, TSU fought back and tied it at 43-all after John Walker III's trey. Over the next 5:43, the tide of the contest would change as SMC went on a 17-2 run as they were aided by five free throws and 6-of-9 shooting. On the opposite end, TSU shot 1-of-7 as SMC would hold on to its double digit lead until a pair of Justin Hopkins' free throws in the closing seconds.
Nicholas led TSU with 16 points and seven rebounds while also blocking two shots with two steals. Walker III added 15 points and six rebounds while Henry scored 13 points with five assists and five rebounds.
TSU is back in action Monday night at the University of Washington in Seattle for an 8 p.m. tip-off.
