EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Tennessee State University ended a 32-year championship drought Saturday night, defeating Morehead State 93–67 to win the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament title at the Ford Center and secure an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament.
The victory marks TSU’s first OVC Tournament championship since 1994 and improves the Tigers’ record to 23–9 on the season.
Tennessee State delivered a balanced offensive performance, placing five players in double figures while dominating the boards and shooting efficiently from three-point range.
Antoine Lorick III led the Tigers with 18 points and two blocks, while Travis Harper added 17 points. Carlous Williams contributed 16 points off the bench, and Dante Harris recorded a double-double with 16 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Aaron Nkrumah finished with 11 points and six assists.
The Tigers controlled the glass throughout the game, out rebounding Morehead State 44–29. Tennessee State also turned 14 offensive rebounds into 14 second-chance points, helping maintain momentum on the offensive end.
Defensively, TSU limited the Eagles to 36.2 percent shooting from the field and 30 percent from three-point range. Morehead State managed just eight offensive rebounds, resulting in only nine second-chance points.
The Tigers seized control early in the game. After the teams were tied 7–7, Tennessee State went on a 13–0 run midway through the first half, capped by a three-pointer from Nkrumah to give TSU a 20–7 lead.
Tennessee State continued its strong shooting performance throughout the half, hitting 12 three-pointers and building a commanding 55–34 halftime lead.
The Tigers maintained that momentum after the break, steadily extending their advantage. A late 6–0 run, highlighted by a three-pointer from J.C. Brooks, pushed the lead to 93–65 with just over a minute remaining in the game.
TSU’s bench also made key contributions in the second half, accounting for 15 of the team’s 38 points during the period.
Following the game, Dante Harris was named the OVC Tournament Most Valuable Player, while Aaron Nkrumah and Travis Harper were also selected to the OVC All-Tournament Team.
The championship victory sends Tennessee State to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, marking one of the program’s biggest milestones in more than three decades.
