Tigers Dominate Morehead State in Championship Victory

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Antoine Lorick III scored 18 points, and top-seeded Tennessee State beat No. 2 seed Morehead State 93-67 on Saturday night for the Tigers’ first win in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament championship game since 1994.

The victory marks Tennessee State’s first trip to the NCAA Tournament in more than 30 years, a milestone achieved under first-year coach Nolan Smith.

Key Performances Fuel Tennessee State’s Success

Lorick wasn’t the only Tiger to shine. Travis Harper II contributed 17 points, sinking five 3-pointers. Dante Harris and Carlous Williams each added 16 points to the scoreboard. Aaron Nkrumah rounded out the strong offensive showing with 14 points and six assists.

The Tigers’ shooting prowess was on full display, connecting on 16 of 26 attempts from beyond the arc.

First-Half Surge Sets the Tone

Tennessee State established a commanding lead early, scoring a Division-I program-record 55 points in the first half. Harris led the charge with 16 first-half points, while Harper added 15 on five 3-pointers.

Regular Season Context

The teams had split their regular-season matchups, with each team winning on their home court. Tennessee State secured a 105-100 overtime victory in the first meeting, while Morehead State responded with a 94-86 win in the second.

TSU entered the tournament having achieved a program-best 15 conference wins.

Morehead State Falls Short

George Marshall led Morehead State with 17 points, shooting 4 of 9 from beyond the arc. Anouar Mellouk and Davion Cunningham each contributed 12 points for the Eagles.

Did You Understand?

Tennessee State previously won back-to-back OVC Tournament titles in 1993 and 1994.

FAQ

• When did Tennessee State last win the OVC Tournament before this year? 1994.
• How many points did Antoine Lorick III score in the championship game? 18 points.
• What is Tennessee State’s record for the season? 23-9.