For the third straight night, TSU fell in the closing seconds as Bethune-Cookman claimed an 80-77 win inside the H&PE Arena.
With TSU ahead 12-7 early on, Bethune-Cookman would turn the tide with a 15-3 run as they only missed two shots during the five-minute run en route to a 22-15 lead.
The Tigers responded with a 17-5 run over the next five minutes as they shot 70 percent (7-of-10) from the field as Kehlin Farooq led the way with six points. Ahead 32-27, BCU narrowed the gap to 32-31 but TSU went ahead 37-31 after a Zaire Hayes' trey. However, the Wildcats were red hot to end the half as they closed on an 11-2 run thanks to perfect shooting from the field as they led 42-39.
The Wildcats would only miss two shots within the first eight minutes as their lead grew to 57-49 with 12:31 left. TSU would cut it to 57-53 with 11:04 left but an 8-2 BCU run saw them up the margin to 65-55.
The Wildcats would hold on for dear life from that point over the next few minutes but the Tigers would rally as they finally cooled the Wildcats off from the field. An 18-8 Tiger run over the next six minutes would tie the game after Duane Posey's and-one with 2:58 left.
BCU responded with a three-pointer on its ensuing possession for a 76-73 lead and both teams would miss its next shot attempts but TSU would strike next with a Kavion McClain shot to draw within 76-75 with 1:01 left. The Wildcats would miss a layup and the Tigers would finally go ahead as Jaylin Jackson-Posey drove the lane for a 77-76 margin with 56 seconds left.
With 41 seconds left, BCU would answer with a jumper for a 78-77 lead and the Tigers would miss two attempts at the go-ahead score. TSU was forced to foul with 13 seconds left to force the one-and-one and BCU would miss the front end which led to a TSU timeout. However, The Tigers would turn the ball over on the next possession in the paint and BCU hit two free throws for a three-point lead. TSU turned it over at the end as they never had a chance at the basket.
Kehlin Farooq had a double-double with 11 point and 11 rebounds. McClain had 19 points and seven assists while Duane Posey had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Jackson-Posey scored 14 with three rebounds.
TSU is back in action Saturday at 4:30 p.m. against Grambling State in Grambling, La.
