TSU's refinished basketball court ruined in rainstorm

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- When Tennessee State coach Dana Ford signed a contract extension after leading the Tigers to one of their best basketball seasons last year, athletics director Teresa Phillips gave him a raise and a promise to upgrade the facilities.

And sure enough, the Tigers have a new court in Gentry Center.

But it's not an upgrade.

Ford would much rather have the floor on which his team posted a 20-11 record last season. It had just been resurfaced and was in prime condition.

The refinished floor was ruined recently when lightning struck the roof at Gentry Center and created a large hole. It was during a storm, and rain continued pouring into the facility.

Assistant coach Pierre Jordan first discovered the mess.

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