PINE BLUFF, Ark. – Texas Southern closed out the second half on a 32-9 run as they won an important SWAC road contest at Arkansas-Pine Bluff Thursday night by an 83-64 margin.
Playing at a place that hasn't been friendly to the Tigers in the past, they knew it was going to be a dogfight going in as UAPB stormed out to 18-9 lead with 12:07 remaining. The Tigers would bounce back with a 21-11 surge over the next six minutes to claim a 30-29 lead as Duane Posey and Jaylen Wysinger led the way with seven points apiece. UAPB would regain the lead quickly but TSU kept fighting as Zytarious Mortle's jumper and an Alex Anderson free throw led to a 34-31 lead. UAPB would tie it up with a three-pointer but Troy Hupstead scored followed by Jaylen Wysinger's bucket to a 38-34 lead with 2:40 left. TSU would take UAPB's best charge as the half came to a close en route to a 40-36 halftime lead.
The Golden Lions would outscore TSU 16-11 to open the second half as they clamed a 52-51 lead with 12:18 remaining. The Golden Lions had an opportunity to move further but TSU survived a barrage of offensive rebounds and turned it into a Hupstead layup. UAPB would miss a three-pointer and Mortle banked a three-pointer from the corner with 10:34 left for a 56-52 lead. UAPB would miss a free throw on its ensuing attempt and Wysinger upped the margin to 59-53 with a corner three-pointer which was a direct result of ball movement.
TSU was nearly flawless from that point as they closed out the next 8:43 shooting 10-of-16 from the field while netting five steals on the defensive end. TSU would force six turnovers during that span while only allowing UAPB to attempt six shots.
Wysinger continued his solid play with 25 points, seven assists and six steals. Mortle add 17 followed by 16 points and 10 rebounds from Troy Hupstead.
Thursday's win was huge due to a logjam in the SWAC standings as 10 teams are within three games of each other after Thursday's results. Quietly, TSU has ascended into fifth place and are only a game out of second-place with four games remaining.
TSU's regular season road finale is on Saturday at Mississippi Valley State with a 5 p.m. tip.
