Tennessee State Defeats Drexel, 76-66

Tuesday, December 4

Nashville, Tenn.

8:00

Drexel University

2-6

Tennessee State

4-5

Drexel

Tennessee State

12/4/2012 9:56:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Nashville, Tenn. – Tennessee State went on a 7-0 run late in the game and defeated Drexel, 76-66, at the Gentry Center on the campus of Tennessee State.

With the game tied at 57 with 4:03 left, the Tigers went on a 7-0 run to take the lead. Jordan Cyphers scored on a fast break and was fouled. He missed the free throw but Michael Green grabbed the offensive board and his left handed lay-in gave the Tigers a 61-57 lead. Cyphers then hit another three to put the Tigers ahead by seven with just under three minutes to play. Drexel wasn't able to get the lead to less than five points the rest of the way. Tennessee State made its free throws down the stretch to clinch the win.

Drexel trailed after the first 20 minutes, 36-30, as Tennessee State was hot from the floor. The Tigers made 52 percent of their shots in the first half and were 3-for-5 from deep. The Dragons were dominant on the board in the early going, outrebounding their opponent, 20-11. Drexel had 11 offensive boards, but scored just eight second chance points. Damion Lee had 12 points in the half, to lead Drexel, while Kellen Thornton had 12 for the Tigers.

Lee led Drexel with 18 points. Frantz Massenat added 15 points and seven assists, while committing just one turnover. Daryl McCoy recorded his first double-double of the season with 10 points and 13 rebounds. The Dragons had a 10-rebound advantage as both McCoy and Dartaye Ruffin (11) reached double digits in caroms. Tennessee State had five players score at least 10 points. The Tigers were led by Thornton's 20 points. Robert Covington scored 17 on 7-for-11 shooting. TSU shot 50 percent from the floor, while Drexel was only 39 percent on the offensive end.

Drexel will play its third straight road contest this weekend. The Dragons will make the short drive to Princeton to face the Tigers on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.