A Tale of Two Tigers: Tennessee State's Basketball Teams Play Western Illinois

Photo / TSU Athletics

MACOMB, IL - Last night in Tennessee State basketball teams faced off against Western Illinois, each with a distinct narrative unfolding on the hardwood.

The men’s team started strong, led by Travis Harper II, who dazzled the crowd with a game-high 23 points. From the moment the game began, the Tigers (10-5, 4-1 OVC) never trailed, overwhelming the Leathernecks with a tight perimeter defense that limited Western Illinois to just one three-pointer out of twelve attempts. Tennessee State's precision shooting—55.7% from the field—coupled with a robust inside game featuring 50 points in the paint, set the stage for a commanding 90-68 victory. Khalil London contributed 15 points off the bench, while Jalen Pitre’s 10 rebounds secured a vital advantage on the boards.

Meanwhile, the women's team fought valiantly but fell short, losing 76-59. Aaniya Webb led the Lady Tigers (2-12, 1-4 OVC) with 11 points, and Brianna Wooldridge delivered a standout performance with 12 rebounds. The team opened with confidence, briefly leading before Western Illinois surged ahead. Despite trailing at halftime, Tennessee State maintained grit, continuing to attack the glass and securing 17 second-chance points, but ultimately could not bridge the gap.

Both teams continue up north against Eastern Illinois this Saturday, January 10th in Charleston, Illinois.