Troy Hupstead had a monster game with 30 points and 17 rebounds followed by Oumar Koureissi's double-double as TSU closed out non-conference play over a feisty Huston-Tillotson squad with an 80-56 win on Tuesday.
The contest started out close as the Rams had a four-point deficit within the first 10 minutes until three consecutive points from TSU's Josh Akpovwa sparked a brief 4-0 run and a 21-13 lead with 10:29 left. The rams would cut it to four (21-17) a minute later but baskets from Zaire Hayes and Hupstead upped the margin back to eight (25-17) with 6:13 remaining. From there, the Tiger offense shifted to another gear as the team outscored the Rams 13-4 over the next six minutes as Zytarious Mortle's fast break dunk off his own steal gave TSU its largest lead of the half (38-21) with 14 seconds left. TSU would end the half ahead 38-24.
TSU controlled the second half from start to finish despite several moments it appeared the Rams would cut the lead into single digits early on. HTU cut the deficit to 10 with 18:31 left before Hupstead answered with a layup on the ensuing possession. The Rams drew to within 11 with 14:16 left but Oumar Koureissi's jumper moved the needle back to 13. With 8:07 remaining, HTU would once again attempt to creep back in as the lead dropped to 11 (56-45) but TSU took full control from that point and outscored them 24-11 the remainder of the night en route to a win in its non-conference finale.
Hupstead finished with 30 points and 17 rebounds followed by Koureissi's double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds. Bryce Roberts, who eclipsed the 1,000-point career scoring mark, added 11.
TSU is back in action for the start of SWAC play Saturday at 5 p.m. against Southern in Baton Rouge, La.
