NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)—Bruce Price had 25 points and five assists to help Tennessee State hold off second-half rallies from Fisk for a 72-63 win in their season opener Monday night.
Tennessee State (1-0) led 39-24 at the half against their crosstown rivals, despite shooting only 8-of-26 from the field.
Fisk (1-1) tied it twice in the second, including D’Wayne Wells’ pair of free throws to make it 54-54 with 5:22 left. But the Bulldogs had to go deeper into their bench after three players fouled out—Jeremiah Williamson, Marquis Patterson and Chris Adams.
The Tigers regained the lead with a layup by Reiley Ervin that also broke their 12-minute drought from the field and started a 7-0 run with free throws from Price, Clarence Matthews and Wayne Arnold.
The Bulldogs committed 38 fouls to the Tigers’ 26, and Tennessee State took advantage of 23 fouls in the second half by hitting nearly 70 percent on free throws, including 11 of 16 from the line by Price. Price made 20 free throws total.
