PULASKI, Tenn. - Stillman College's upset bid of No. 18 University of Tennessee Southern fell short late in the second half in an 85-70 Southern States Athletic Conference road loss.
Bailey Talley grabbed a defensive rebound and then popped a 3-pointer to spark a 10-0 Stillman game-opening run against his former team in his first trip to Curry Athletic Complex as an opposing player. The lead grew to 25-7 with 11 minutes to play in the first half following back-to-back 3s by
Jamar Jackson and
Justin Minter. Over the next two minutes, Minter helped push the Tigers' lead to 20 points, 29-9. However, UT Southern out-scored the Tigers 26-10 in the next nine minutes to cut the Tigers' halftime margin to 39-35.
Stillman capitalized on 7-of-16 shooting (43.8%) from 3-point range in the first half, while holding UTS to 20% (3-of-15) from the arc in the first 20 minutes.
The Tigers maintained their lead early in the second half, leading 55-45, with 13:55 remaining, following an
Antonio Jones 3. A Vance Mark and-one layup, followed by a pair of technical foul free throws by Koby Isaac and another Mark layup pulled the Firehawks within three points, 55-52.
Stillman managed to keep the lead until a CJ Greer 3-pointer with 8:17 to play gave the Firehawks a 61-60 lead. Marcus Bates Jr twice regained Stillman's lead, but UT Southern built a 9-0 run, aided by a combined seven points from Brady Brown and Brandon Brown. Bates' layup with 3:36 to play proved to be the Tigers' final basket, down 71-66.
The Firehawks scored six of its final 13 points from the free throw line in the last three minutes, while Talley and Bates each had a pair of free throws in the final two minutes. With the game already in hand, Brandon Brown added a 3-pointer with 11 seconds left to mark the largest UTS lead of the day at 15 points. It gave him a double-double for the game with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Bates finished with 18 points on 80% shooting to lead Stillman. Minter and Jones each scored 12 points, with Minter dishing out six assists.
Tyler Martin added 11 points, while Talley was held to eight points.
Brady Brown led all players with 20 points for the Firehawks. Vance finished with 13 points, and Greer scored 12.
Stillman (10-7, 7-3) will return home to Birthright Alumni Hall on Thursday, Jan. 25 to host Brewton-Parker College at 7:30 p.m. It will be the first of three home games over five days.
