Texas Southern Tigers Work Extra Hours to Capture Their 74-71 Win over ULL

HOUSTON, Texas -- Texas Southern men’s basketball head coach Mike Davis and his fighting Tigers gave the TSU fans quite a show in the 2012-13 season home opener against Louisiana-Lafayette in the H&PE Arena. The Tigers took their first win under Coach Davis in grand fashion in a 74-71 overtime win.

TSU started strong by taking a 29-19 lead in the first half with SWAC Preseason Player of the Year, Omar Strong leading the way with 8 points. Newcomer Ray Penn had 7 points.

The Tigers were force to fight off a charge by Louisiana-Lafayette in the second half. The Ragin’ Cajuns closed the 10 point gap and tied the game at 65-65 with two clutch free-throws with no time left on the clock.

ULL jumped out to a 71-70 lead on overtime but Dexter Ellington hit two free-throws to give the Tigers a one point lead with 39 seconds left to play. Kyrie Sutton sealed the deal with two-free throws at the seven second mark to put TSU up by three put away Louisiana-Lafayette’s hope of a second comeback.

Penn lead the Tigers with 17 points and 4 assists. Strong and Fred Sturdivant finished the game with 14 points each. Sturdivant added 11 rebounds for his first double-double of the season.
 
COURTESY: Rodney Bush, TSU Sports Information Director