Tennessee State battles to 79-72 Win Over EIU Panthers

Photo: #11 Bruce Price scores 20 points in nationally televised contest with EIU. The 6-3/205 junior guard is from South H.S., Minneapolis, MN.

Courtesy: Tennessee State Sports Information

Robinson, Price Pace Tigers With 20 Points Each

Tennessee State University (8-10, 5-4) used a 14-2 second half run to erase a two-point halftime deficit and defeat Eastern Illinois University (2-16, 1-9) by a 79-72 score in a nationally televised OVC contest.

Gerald Robinson, Jr. and Bruce Price scored 20 points each and were joined by LaDarious Weaver (15) and Darius Cox (10) in double-figure scoring.

The Panthers of Eastern Illinois got double figure scoring from Jon’Tee Willhite (19), Bobby Catchings (18) and Ousame Cisse (12). Willhite finished with a game-high 9rebounds.

In the first half, Eastern Illinois scored the first points on a 3-pointer by Bobby Catchings (19:27) and held the upper had until the 13:12 mark, when the Tigers tied the score 12-12 after a steal and layup by Robinson. TSU held a lead briefly but EIU tied the game at 18-18 (10:48) and led until the 5:01 mark when the Tigers regained the lead 27-24 after a LaDarious Weaver three-point basket. The Panthers fought back for a 35-32 lead with 1:12 remaining in the half before Gerald Robinson’s layup (0:57) put TSU behind by one, 35-34, before the intermission.

TSU opened the second half with a 14-2 run, for a 50-37 lead at 13:27. The Tigers opened their lead to 58-44 midway through the period (9:58) and held a double-digit lead for most of the second half. EIU closed the lead to eight points, 68-60 (2:51) and 77-69 (0:28), but in the last minute they were forced to fouling in an attempt to get in the game, but Bruce Price sank 3-of-4 foul shots in the thirty seconds to seal the win for TSU.

Eastern Illinois won the battle of the boards 38-21. The Panthers shot 49% (24-49) from the floor and 68% (19-28) from the foul line, while the Tigers shot 52% (29-56) from the field and 75% (9-12) from the foul line. TSU hit 12-of-24 (50%) from beyond the 3-point arc.

TSU will complete a three-game home stand when they host Eastern Kentucky on Thursday, January 24th at Gentry Center. Tip off is set for 7:30 p.m.