NASHVILLE - The Fisk University Bulldogs basketball teams began their HBCU Athletic Conference schedule by hosting the Voorhees University Tigers at Henderson A. Johnson Arena. The Lady Bulldogs won 68-56, while the men's teams couldn't hold on a big lead, as Voorhees rallied to a 88-87 overtime win.

Lady Bulldogs Secure Victory in HBCU Athletic Conference Opener

Lady Bulldogs Triumph Over Voorhees Tigers

The Lady Bulldogs, led by star players Kayla Lee and freshman Ari Branch, controlled the game from the outset and clinched a 68-56 win.

Key Performers

• Kayla Lee: Led all scorers with 26 points, marking her fourth 20+ point game out of six this season.
• Ari Branch: Contributed 21 points, highlighted by a perfect 9-for-9 performance at the free throw line.

Game Highlights

• Fisk jumped out to a nine-point lead in the first quarter, with Kennedi Wagner hitting two three-pointers and Branch adding six points.
• Voorhees mounted a comeback in the second quarter, reducing Fisk's lead to just one point, but the Lady Bulldogs recovered to take a 38-33 advantage into halftime. Lee and Branch were responsible for 16 of Fisk's 19 second-quarter points.
• In the second half, Fisk's defense limited Voorhees to just 23 points. Freshman Deja Dunbar, who started in the post after halftime, made a significant defensive impact with five rebounds and strong interior presence.
• Lee and Branch combined for 14 points in the fourth quarter, ensuring the Lady Bulldogs maintained control and secured the victory.

Conclusion

The Lady Bulldogs' cohesive play, strong defense, and standout performances from Lee and Branch paved the way for a successful start to their conference campaign. Their resilience and ability to respond to Voorhees' challenges were key to the win.

Bulldogs Squander 18-Point Second Half Lead in Defeat

Fisk University saw five players score in double figures, but it wasn't enough as Voorhees rallied from an 18-point deficit to defeat the Bulldogs 88-87 in overtime. Mitch Seay paced Fisk with a double-double, tallying 20 points and 11 rebounds before fouling out late in regulation. His basket on a feed from Kaleb Jeffries pushed Fisk's lead to 58-40 with 14:38 left, but momentum shifted quickly. Just 12 seconds later, Simeon Williams II (12 points) picked up his third and fourth fouls, forcing him to the bench for nearly ten minutes—a stretch that allowed Voorhees to ignite their comeback. By the time Williams II reentered, the lead had shrunk to 74-68.

In the closing minute of regulation, Fisk clung to a 77-75 edge after Williams II secured a key rebound, but a turnover by Nicholas Beaird-Kennard (19 points) gave Voorhees a chance to tie. With 43 seconds remaining, Xavier Finney's bucket evened the score. Mark Cooper responded with two clutch free throws to put Fisk back on top with 24 seconds left, but Daethan Harris matched him at the line, sending the contest to overtime.

In the extra period, the teams traded leads. With the score tied at 83, Voorhees' Gabriel Wright gave his team the advantage with 50 seconds left. Beaird-Kennard energized the Bulldogs' fans by nailing a three-pointer from the left corner to put Fisk ahead by one with 30 seconds remaining. After a Finney miss, Williams II grabbed the rebound, was fouled, and made one of two free throws, setting up Finney's dramatic banked three-pointer as time expired to seal the Voorhees win. Kailon Benton-Hamilton and Lucious Jackson each added 12, and Cooper contributed 11 assists and five steals. Finney led Voorhees with 25 points.