Dawgs Go 2-0 For the Week
Two HBCUAC East Division wins gives Fisk a 3-0 start to 2026
NASHVILLE - After struggling against tough competition in the first half of the season, the Fisk University Bulldogs have found their stride after winning their second and third game in a row this week, scoring 98 and 97 points. All three games in 2026 have been at home, and the team is averaging 109 points per game. "When you play the right way, good things happen," said Fisk head coach Jeremiah Crutcher. "We played against a lot of DI schools and top NAIA teams for a reason. We still haven't played our best."
Alexander II Leads Fisk to Overtime Win
Josh Alexander II found out just hours before tipoff against Stillman College that he had cleared NAIA eligibility, and he wasted no time making an impact in his first game as a Bulldog. Alexander poured in 24 points and pulled down 12 rebounds, playing a crucial role in Fisk's dramatic 98-95 overtime victory. The game was neck-and-neck throughout regulation, with neither team holding more than a four-point lead in the second half. Down by one with 1:17 left, Kailon Benton-Hamilton banked a clutch three-pointer to give Fisk an 80-78 edge, but Stillman's Brandon Howard answered with a tough shot in the paint to send the game into overtime tied at 80.
In overtime, Stillman grabbed an early lead on two free throws by Allister Dixon, but Fisk responded with a decisive 12-2 run to go up 92-84. Stillman battled back, trimming the margin to just two points with four seconds left, but Alexander II sealed the win with a free throw with 0.6 seconds remaining. Simeon Williams II contributed 17 points, freshman Kaleb Jeffries added 16, and Lucious Jackson rounded out the double-digit scorers with 12. Mark Cooper, who leads the nation in assists, dished out 11 helpers to pace the offense. Fisk shot 61% from the field in the win.
Stillman (95)
Jordan Fordyce 4-6 4-4 14, Joshua Price 5-13 2-4 12, Brandon Howard 11-19 2-2 28, Dasean Sellers 0-1 0-0 0, Adrelin Robinson 7-13 4-7 20, Derrick Patton 0-0 0-0 0, Allister Dixon 7-10 7-9 21, Eric Grant 0-1 0-0 0, Johnathan Crawford 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 34-65 19-26 95
Fisk (98)
Mark Cooper 3-6 1-2 7, Kaleb Jeffries 4-10 6-7 16, Lucious Jackson 5-7 1-2 12, Trenton Connolly 0-0 0-0 0, Nicholas Beaird-Kennard 1-3 0-0 3, Kailon Benton-Hamilton 6-9 2-2 16, EJ Jointer 1-3 0-0 2, Simeon Williams II 8-9 0-0 17, Kahvonn Williams 0-2 1-4 1, Josh Alexander II 11-15 2-6 24. Totals 39-64 13-23 98
|
SCORE BY PERIODS |
1st |
2nd |
OT1 |
TOTAL |
|
Stillman |
35 |
45 |
15 |
95 |
|
Fisk |
38 |
42 |
18 |
98 |
FG%: Stillman .523, Fisk .609. 3-pt FG:Stillman 8-14 (Fordyce 2-2, Price 0-2, Howard 4-6, Sellers 0-1, Robinson 2-3), Fisk 7-17 (Jeffries 2-6, Jackson 1-3, Beaird-Kennard 1-2, Benton-Hamilton 2-4, Williams II 1-2). Rebounds: Stillman 32 (Dixon 15), Fisk 33 (Alexander II 12). Fouls Stillman 20, Fisk 20. Fouled out: Howard Price Fordyce . Technical: none. Assists: Stillman 11 (Fordyce 4, Price 4), Fisk 30 (Cooper 11). Steals: Stillman 8 (Dixon 3), Fisk 7 (Jeffries 3). Blocked shots: Stillman 4 (Dixon 2), Fisk 3 (Jeffries 1, Williams II 1, Alexander II 1). Turnovers: Stillman 11, Fisk 11.
Balanced Attack Fuels Fisk to Blow Out Win over Rust.
Nicholas Beaird-Kennard scored 20 points to lead six Bulldogs in double figures in Fisk's 97-67 victory over Rust College. Fisk ran out to an 8-0 run and never looked back. The 30-point win was the second most deferential by the Bulldogs this season. Williams II finished with a double-double of 11 points and 14 rebounds. Benton-Hamilton, Jackson, and Alexander II chipped in ten points apiece, with Cooper getting a double-double of ten rebounds and ten assists.
Rust College (67)
Tykeidriel Moore 1-7 0-0 2, Akeives Shorts 2-13 3-5 7, Tadarius Jacobs 4-8 3-5 12, Johnathon Molierce 2-6 1-2 5, Jhamel Ross 0-4 0-0 0, Jacarrie Granger 8-9 0-0 16, Kory Young 1-5 6-6 9, Kylan Haywood 5-9 1-2 13, Jahsan Upshaw 0-7 3-4 3. Totals 23-68 17-24 67
Fisk (97)
Mark Cooper 2-5 0-0 4, Andre Bell 1-4 0-0 2, Kaleb Jeffries 6-14 0-0 14, Lucious Jackson 3-5 2-2 10, Trenton Connolly 2-4 0-0 6, Kobey Jones 0-0 0-0 0, TC Coleman 0-1 0-0 0, Nicholas Beaird-Kennard 7-14 2-3 20, Kailon Benton-Hamilton 4-7 0-0 10, EJ Jointer 3-4 0-0 6, Simeon Williams II 4-12 2-2 11, Kahvonn Williams 1-3 2-2 4, Josh Alexander II 4-8 2-2 10. Totals 37-81 10-11 97
SCORE BY PERIODS 1st 2nd TOTAL
Rust College 20 47 67
Fisk 48 49 97
FG%: Rust College .338, Fisk .457. 3-pt FG:Rust College 4-16 (Moore 0-2, Shorts 0-1, Jacobs 1-2, Molierce 0-1, Ross 0-1, Young 1-4, Haywood 2-4, Upshaw 0-1), Fisk 13-32 (Cooper 0-1, Bell 0-1, Jeffries 2-6, Jackson 2-4, Connolly 2-3, Coleman 0-1, Beaird-Kennard 4-10, Benton-Hamilton 2-3, Williams II 1-3). Rebounds: Rust College 40 (Shorts 13), Fisk 56 (Williams II 14). Fouls Rust College 11, Fisk 19. Fouled out: Molierce . Technical: none. Assists: Rust College 11 (Moore 2, Shorts 2, Molierce 2, Young 2), Fisk 26 (Cooper 10). Steals: Rust College 7 (Shorts 3), Fisk 9 (Williams II 3). Blocked shots: Rust College 2 (Moore 2), Fisk 2 (Williams II 1, Alexander II 1). Turnovers: Rust College 11, Fisk 9.
The Dawgs' recent victories show their growth and determination, with improved teamwork and offensive execution helping them secure back-to-back wins. As the season progresses, the Bulldogs look to build on this momentum and continue their strong performance at home, aiming to reach new heights in the coming weeks.
