TSU Tigers overcome second-half deficit in 87-82 win at Prairie View A&M

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas -- The Texas Southern University Tigers erased a 10-point halftime deficit Saturday as they scored 56 in the second half en route to an 87-82 win at Prairie View A&M.

Zach Lofton scored a team-high 21 points to lead four TSU players scoring in double figures. The Tigers (7-9) improved to 3-0 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play.

Jalan McCloud came off the TSU bench to score 16 points, which included a 12-for-12 showing at the free throw line. Kevin Scott and Marvin Jones scored 15 points apiece for the Tigers.

Tevin Bellinger scored a game-high 24 points to lead Prairie View A&M (3-14, 0-3 SWAC). Zachary Hamilton chipped in 13 points for the Panthers.

The visiting Tigers trailed 41-31 at halftime but wasted no time chipping away at the deficit as they scored seven unanswered points in the first two minutes of the second time. Jones ignited the run with five points in the first 44 seconds of the half.

TSU seized momentum later in the half during a 15-4 run between the 16:57 and 12:45 marks of the period. Scott scored seven points during the run, which was highlighted by back-to-back 3-pointers from him and Tyree Bynum.

A 10-1 TSU run between the 11:58 and 9:04 marks of the half gave the Tigers a 12-point lead, their largest of the game. Stephan Bennett capped the run with a layup while getting fouled, and then hit the subsequent free throw to stretch TSU's lead to 68-56.

The Tigers held a seven-point lead with barely three and a half minutes remaining in the game, but PVAMU fought back with a 6-1 run to cut the visitors' advantage to 79-77. A steal and fast-break layup by Bellinger made it a one-possession game.

The Panthers then forced another turnover to give themselves a chance to tie, but a steal and subsequent pair of free throws by McCloud stretched TSU's lead back to four with 1:22 left to play. The Tigers sealed the victory at the free throw line, while the Panthers would not get closer than five points for the rest of the contest.

After opening the season with 16 consecutive road games, the Tigers make their home debut Saturday when they host Grambling State. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

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