The Chicago State men's basketball team overcame Tennessee State's strong start to the second half and eventually pulled away for a 10-point win, 59-49, Saturday afternoon at the Jones Convocation Center.
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Both teams shot under 30 percent in the first half and the Tigers failed to convert a three-point field goal (0-of-6) while CSU made five (5-of-17, 29%). The equalizer being Chicago State did not shoot a first-half free throw and TSU was 8-of-12 from the charity stripe.
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But, after coming out of the gate cold, Tennessee State reversed that trend to start the second half, making four of their first five shots and a quick 8-0 run to turn a five-point halftime deficit into a three-point lead early in the second half. TSU extended the run to 12-1 for a 32-26 lead before
Brandon Betson,
Jahsean Corbett and
Coreyoun Rushin scored on consecutive trips to knot the game at 32-32 with 14:28 remaining in the game.
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With the win, the Cougars remain undefeated at home this season and the victory also marks the first three-game home win streak since 2018-19, when CSU won consecutive home games against East-West, Eastern Illinois and Trinity Christian.
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Corbett opened the scoring in the contest, making a long three for an early Cougars lead. Tennessee State countered with their first points coming from the free throw line followed by made jumper and the Tigers led 4-3.
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Coreyoun Rushin reclaimed the Cougars lead with a jumper and started a 9-1 run which saw the Cougars go from trailing by one to leading by seven, 12-5, with 10:34 remaining in the first half.
Favour Chukwukelu scored, followed by a Betson three, then a Teddy Bayi Ba Mendeng layup during the run.
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The teams then exchanged baskets before back-to-back threes by Betson and Chukwukelu forced a Tennessee State timeout and the Cougars extended the lead to 11, 20-9, with 7:55 to play. The Tigers battled back with a 5-0 run to pull within six, 20-14.Â
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Dominique Alexander got into the scoring column for the Cougars with a running layup and, following a pair of Tigers free throws, Corbett nailed a long three to put Chicago State back up by nine, 25-16, before Tennessee State closed out the half with a layup and two free throws and the score at the end of the first half was 25-20 Cougars.
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Following Tennessee State's hot start to start the second half, the teams exchanged baskets for the next three minutes before a Tigers 4-0 run extended their lead to 43-37. At that point, Chicago State went on a 12-2 run over nearly seven minutes, keyed by Corbett and Rushin who accounted for all the scoring, Corbett with a pair of baskets and Rushin with two hoops and four free throws and the Cougars led 50-45 with 2:24 remaining.
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Chicago State extended the lead to nine following a Betson layup and Corbett three but the Tigers made a three of their own and CSU led 55-49 with 1:29 to go. The Cougars closed out the game at the line, with Betson and Alexander each making a pair from the 59-49 final.
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Next up for the Cougars will be a home date with Illinois State on Saturday, December 11 at 2 p.m.