Men’s Basketball Falls to UT Southern

PULASKI, TN. - Freshman Kaleb Jeffries led all scorers with 19 points, and Trenton Connolly and Nicolas Beaird-Kennard combined for 32 off the bench, but it was not enough as the Fisk University Bulldogs (0-3) fell to UT Southern (1-0) 87-76 in Pulaski, Tennessee.

Fisk committed 24 turnovers, while UTS had ten. UTS converted these turnovers into 25 points. Additionally, the turnovers resulted in a 21-2 margin for UTS in fast break points. In all three games this season, the Bulldogs have played against teams from the Southern States Athletic Conference.

"UT Southern is a good team but you can't beat teams when you turn the ball over," said Fisk Head Coach Jeremiah Crutcher. "We need to clean that up. We played three teams so far this year that will win a lot of games. We had our chances but couldn't finish.

After a sluggish start to the game, the Bulldogs, down by as much as 22 points, clawed back into it but couldn't withstand the strong inside and outside combination of De'Marreon Baldwin and Luke Lentz. Baldwin was 7 of 13 from the field to lead UTS with 17 points. Lentz was 4 of 8 behind the arc for all his 12 points.

UTS scored the first seven points of the game, before Lucious Jackson got Fisk on the board at the 16:55 mark. Two Kailon Benton-Hamiton free throws cut the deficit to 13-12 with 13:22 left in the half. That was the closest Fisk could get. UTS led the whole game.

Simeon Williams and Kailon Benton-Hamilton, who averaged 19.5 and 12.5 points per game respectively, were limited to ten combined points.

NEXT UP:

The Bulldogs will play three games in the row, starting with the Lindsey Wilson Classic on Saturday and Sunday, before taking on Tennessee State University in the Battle of Jefferson Street on Monday.