Tennessee State Tigers Hold Off Lindenwood Lions 89-80 Behind Harris' 19 Points

The Tennessee State Tigers secured a crucial 89-80 victory over the Lindenwood Lions at the Gentry Center, with Dante Harris leading the charge with 19 points and 8 rebounds, while Travis Harper II also chipped in with 19 points of his own. This win marked the Tigers' 18th victory of the season, improving their record to 18-9, and was a reflection of their recent form, where they have averaged 80.8 points per game over their last 5 outings, outscoring their opponents by 5.0 points on average. The Lions, on the other hand, fell to 16-12, and have struggled to find consistency, averaging 73.2 points per game over their last 5 games, while being outscored by 2.2 points per game. Anias Futrell was the standout performer for the Lions, scoring 27 points and grabbing 8 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Tigers' balanced attack.

The game was closely contested in the first half, with both teams trading baskets and neither able to gain a significant advantage, as they headed into the break tied at 42-42. However, in the second half, the Tigers began to pull away, outscoring the Lions 47-38, with Carlous Williams contributing 17 points and 5 rebounds to the cause. The Tigers' ability to score from multiple positions and their dominance on the glass, outrebounding the Lions 35-29, ultimately was the difference-maker. The Lions, despite their best efforts, were unable to keep pace with the Tigers' high-powered offense, which has been a hallmark of their recent success, with 3 wins in their last 5 games, including a 77-68 victory over Eastern Illinois and an 83-56 thrashing of Western Illinois.

Beyond the impressive stat lines, it was clear that Harris and Harper II were the catalysts for the Tigers' victory, with their ability to score from both inside and outside the paint, and their clutch shooting, particularly in the second half, when the game was still in the balance. Futrell, on the other hand, was a one-man show for the Lions, with his 27 points and 8 rebounds accounting for a significant portion of their offense. However, despite his best efforts, the Lions were unable to overcome the Tigers' balanced attack, with Dontrez Williams, who scored 24 points, being the only other Lion to score in double figures. The Tigers' bench also played a crucial role, outscoring the Lions' bench 15-10, with 12 of those points coming in the second half, when the game was still in the balance.

The CHD Scout prediction of a 7.5-point victory for the Tigers was accurate, as they ultimately won by 9 points.

The prediction was correct because the Tigers' high-powered offense, which has been averaging 80.8 points per game over their last 5 outings, was able to overcome the Lions' defense, which has been struggling to contain opponents, allowing 75.4 points per game over their last 5 games. The Tigers' ability to score from multiple positions and their dominance on the glass also played a significant role in their victory. The Lions, despite their recent struggles, have shown an ability to compete with stronger opponents, as evidenced by their 79-78 win over Morehead State, but they were ultimately unable to keep pace with the Tigers' offense.

The victory for the Tigers has real consequences for their tournament resume, as they look to build on their recent success and make a push for a postseason berth. With a current NET ranking of 234, the Tigers are still on the outside looking in, but a win over a Quadrant 3 opponent like the Lions is a significant step in the right direction. The Lions, on the other hand, are facing an uphill battle, with a current NET ranking of 241 and a 3-2 record over their last 5 games.

The win for the Tigers has improved their Quadrant 4 record to 4-3, and has given them a much-needed boost in their pursuit of a tournament berth. The loss for the Lions, on the other hand, has dropped their Quadrant 3 record to 2-5, and has made their path to the postseason even more difficult. With the tournament picture beginning to take shape, the Tigers' victory has given them a glimmer of hope, and they want to build on this momentum as they head into the final stretch of the season. The Lions, despite their struggles, are still in the mix, but they must string together a series of wins if they hope to make a push for a postseason berth.

The Tigers' recent form has been a key factor in their success, with 3 wins in their last 5 games, including a 77-68 victory over Eastern Illinois and an 83-56 thrashing of Western Illinois. They have averaged 80.8 points per game over this stretch, outscoring their opponents by 5.0 points per game. The Lions, on the other hand, have struggled to find consistency, with a 3-2 record over their last 5 games, and have been outscored by 2.2 points per game. Despite these struggles, the Lions have shown an ability to compete with stronger opponents, as evidenced by their 79-78 win over Morehead State. As the season heads into its final stretch, the Tigers want to build on their recent success and make a push for a postseason berth, while the Lions must string together a series of wins if they hope to make a push for a tournament spot.

The game was a microcosm of the Tigers' season, with their high-powered offense and dominance on the glass ultimately proving to be the difference-maker. The Lions, despite their best efforts, were unable to keep pace with the Tigers' balanced attack, and were ultimately undone by their own struggles on defense. As the tournament picture begins to take shape, the Tigers' victory has given them a glimmer of hope, and they want to build on this momentum as they head into the final stretch of the season. With 5 games remaining on their schedule, the Tigers must continue to win if they hope to make a push for a postseason berth. The Lions, on the other hand, must regroup and refocus if they hope to make a push for a tournament spot, with 5 games remaining on their schedule, including a crucial matchup against Southeast Missouri State.

HEADLINE: Tennessee State Tigers Hold Off Lindenwood Lions 89-80 Behind Harris' 19 Points SUBHEADLINE: The victory improves the Tigers' record to 18-9 and gives them a much-needed boost in their pursuit of a tournament berth, with 5 games remaining on their schedule.