Warrior Mentality Propels Bulldogs to Quarterfinal Win

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.- Third leading scorer Tyon Thompson went out in the first five minutes of the game with a lower-body injury and didn't return, but the #4 Fisk University Bulldogs (14-15) defeated the #5 Wiley University Wildcats (12-14) 65-56 in quarterfinal play in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament.

"My guys stepped up for me and I appreciate that," said Thompson. "Everyone helped for the win. Our guys battled. We played with a warrior mentality. They gave a huge effort. We needed this one bad."

Jayden Lockett led all scorers with 20 points and nine. He too played through a lower body injury. Blake Goodman added 16, Michael Ashley had a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds. Rodney Wiley added 10 points. Fisk also had a big game off the bench defensive with five blocks.

After the game was tied at 30 at the half, the Bulldogs looked like they put the game away at the 14:45 mark of the second half when they went up by 16 on a Goodman three pointer. Wiley went on a run and cut the lead to one at the 3:20 mark. Fisk finished the game on a 11-3 run to take the win.

Fisk will take on the ninth-seeded Dillard Bleu Devils who already has two upsets in the tournament. The Bulldogs are 2-0 this season against Dillard.

"We don't have much time to celebrate this one because they are on a roll," said Fisk Head Coach Kenny Anderson. "It is hard to beat a team three times. We will have to step up big if we want to move on."