DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – TSU's chance at knocking off league leader Bethune-Cookman fell short in overtime as they fell 69-59 on Monday night.
TSU led 5-4 to open the game but BCU jumped ahead over the next three minutes 10-7 before Duane Posey's three-point play to knot it at 10-all. BCU would hit a three-pointer to move ahead 13-10 as the contest was back-and-forth over the next five minutes and evenly played as BCU still led 21-20. TSU would catch fire during the back end of the half as five players would score en route to a 31-all halftime score.
TSU opened the second half on fire as they went on a 19-6 run but the Wildcats reversed course and countered with a 20-5 run over the next 5:30 to claim a 57-55 lead with 4:51 left which was partly due to no field goals made by the Tigers.
Two free throws from Zaire Hayes knotted it at 57-all with 4:28 remaining and TSU pulled ahead 59-57 after a Jalen Wysinger basket. The Wildcats knotted it back at 59-all on the ensuing possession but Wysinger once again pulled TSU ahead 61-59. An offensive rebound by BCU on its next possession led to a tip-in and tie game once again but Wysinger once again put TSU on its back with a free throw and jumper for a 64-61 margin with 41 seconds left. BCU would tie it with a three-pointer with 25 seconds left as TSU's potential game-winner fell short at the buzzer.
TSU suffered a big blow early on in overtime as Jordan Gorecki fouled out and the Wildcats were perfect from the field as they outscored the Tigers 15-5 to seal the win.
Bryce Roberts led the way with 16 points followed by 11 from Wysinger and 10 each from Troy Hupstead, Hayes and Alex Anderson. Hupstead had a double-double with 15 rebounds while Wysinger had five steals.
TSU is back in action on Saturday at 4 p.m. against Grambling State inside the H&PE Arena.
