Area Teams Busy on the Hard Court on a Cold Thursday Night!

Photo / Lipscomb Athletics / Hannah Richardson shoots vs Jacksonville

Lady Vols Fall to Mississippi State, 77-62

KNOXVILLE, TN — The No. 15 Lady Vols faced a tough loss against Mississippi State on Thursday night, ending their seven-game winning streak with a 77-62 defeat at Food City Center. Although Tennessee (14-4, 6-1 SEC) started strong, leading 12-9 after the first quarter, they struggled to maintain that momentum, allowing the Bulldogs (16-6, 3-5 SEC) to shoot nearly 50% in the following periods.

Talaysia Cooper led the charge for the Lady Vols with 19 points, supported by Mia Pauldo and Janiah Barker who added 13 and 10 points, respectively. Despite forcing 24 turnovers, UT fell short as Mississippi State's Kharyssa Richardson shone, scoring 21 points and securing four players in double digits. Up next, the Lady Vols will take on No. 1 UConn in Hartford, aiming to bounce back from this challenging SEC contest.

Nkrumah Sparks Tigers to Late Comeback Against Little Rock

NASHVILLE, TN — Tennessee State’s Aaron Nkrumah delivered a stellar performance on Thursday, scoring a game-high 22 points in a thrilling 70-63 victory over Little Rock at Gentry Center. The Tigers’ (14-7, 8-3 OVC) late-game surge, highlighted by an 11-0 run, showcased their resilience, overcoming a ten-point deficit in the final minutes.

Nkrumah’s all-around game included eight rebounds, six assists, and five steals, while Travis Harper II contributed 16 points. With four players scoring in double figures, the Tigers demonstrated impressive teamwork, racking up 17 assists. Defensively, they held Little Rock to just 35.8% shooting. The victory cements Tennessee State’s place in the Ohio Valley Conference as they continue to push for postseason recognition.

Lady Tigers Edge Past by Little Rock, 60-54

NASHVILLE, TN — In a tough matchup, Tennessee State's women’s basketball team fell 60-54 to Little Rock on Thursday night, unable to hold onto a halftime lead. The Lady Tigers (3-17, 2-9 OVC) were strong in the first half, leading 28-22, but struggled to maintain their advantage as the Trojans outscored them 38-26 in the second half.

Xai Whitfield topped the scoring for TSU with 15 points, while Somah Kamara added 13 off the bench. Despite a solid rebounding effort, out-rebounding Little Rock 50-45, turnovers proved costly, as they allowed Little Rock to capitalize and gain control of the game. The Lady Tigers look to regroup ahead of their next match against Tennessee Tech on February 2, aiming for a fresh start in conference play.

Blue Raiders' Winning Streak Ends Against Liberty, 81-65

MURFREESBORO, TN — Middle Tennessee faced a challenging evening against Liberty, suffering an 81-65 loss at home. This marks the first defeat for the Blue Raiders (11-9, 5-4 CUSA) in Conference USA play within their own arena. Liberty started strong, leading 43-29 at halftime and maintaining control throughout.

Sean Smith showcased his talent with 19 points, including a season-best six three-pointers, while Torey Alston contributed 20 points and pulled in 12 rebounds for a double-double. Middle Tennessee secured 18 second-chance points thanks to their offensive rebounding efforts, totaling 12 such boards. Coach Nick McDevitt noted the unique challenges posed by Liberty’s experienced lineup. The Blue Raiders are set to face their rival Western Kentucky on Saturday, eager to bounce back and solidify their place in the conference.

Belmont's Overtime Victory Against Evansville

EVANSVILLE, IN — Belmont University’s women's basketball team displayed grit and determination, securing a hard-fought 79-73 victory over Evansville in overtime on Thursday night. After trailing at various points, the Bruins (12-8, 8-1 MVC) rallied with an impressive performance down the stretch, managing to overcome a five-point deficit with just over two minutes left.

A standout performance from Jailyn Banks, who scored 20 points and went a perfect 8-for-8 on free throws in overtime, was pivotal. The team capitalized on Evansville's offensive lapses, forcing key turnovers. With a season-high 56 rebounds and a strong bench contribution, Belmont continues to assert itself as a contender in the Missouri Valley Conference, with upcoming challenges ahead.

Fisk Falls to Stillman, 68-65

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Fisk University battled against Stillman College on Thursday night but ultimately fell short in a close contest, losing 68-65. The Bulldogs (6-17, 2-7) struggled in the first half, shooting just 33.3% and finding themselves down 36-25 at halftime. However, they made a significant improvement in the second half, boosting their shooting to 50% and keeping the pressure on.

Despite the loss, Simeon Williams II led Fisk with a strong performance, contributing 15 points and five rebounds. The team fought hard, forcing 17 turnovers but could not secure the victory as Stillman capitalized on its offensive opportunities. The Blue Tigers enjoyed a 42-28 advantage in the paint, showcasing their interior strength. Fisk will aim to regroup in their next matchup as they look to turn things around in the upcoming games.

Fisk Women’s Basketball Falls to Stillman, 70-65

NASHVILLE, TN — The Fisk University women's basketball team faced a tough battle against Stillman College, ultimately losing 70-65 on Thursday night. The Lady Bulldogs (6-17, 3-7 SIAC) struggled early, falling behind in the first half as Stillman took a 36-25 lead into halftime.

Despite a strong second-half effort, including a late surge that cut the deficit, Fisk couldn't complete the comeback. Key performances came from guard Teniya Williams, who scored 18 points, and Kayla Lee, who contributed 15 points and six rebounds.

Fisk showed resilience by out-rebounding Stillman 45-33 and forcing 18 turnovers, but they struggled with their shooting efficiency, finishing at 37% from the floor. With this loss, the Lady Bulldogs look to regroup as they prepare for their upcoming matchups, aiming to build on the positives and secure vital wins in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Lipscomb Falls to Jacksonville, 72-54

NASHVILLE, TN — Lipscomb University's women's basketball team struggled on Thursday night, losing 72-54 to Jacksonville University at Allen Arena. After starting strong, the Bisons (7-13, 4-5 ASUN) could not keep pace with the Dolphins, who built a commanding lead with their aggressive scoring.

Despite Molly Heard’s early five points, Lipscomb could not overcome Jacksonville's solid defense and shooting from beyond the arc. The Bisons managed to shoot a commendable 94.4% from the free-throw line (17-of-18) but struggled from the field, finishing at just 32%. McKayla Miller led the scoring with 15 points, supported by Heard’s 13. The team’s foul trouble hindered their performance, allowing Jacksonville to capitalize. Lipscomb will seek to bounce back in their next game against North Florida this weekend.

Trevecca Women's Team Wins Again, 78-75

NASHVILLE, TN — Trevecca Nazarene University's women's basketball team extended its winning streak to six games with a thrilling 78-75 victory over the University of West Alabama on Thursday evening. The Trojans (13-6, 10-4 GSC) showcased their resilience, coming back from early deficits to secure the win.

Gillies led the way for Trevecca, scoring 24 points and adding eight assists. The game featured seven ties and five lead changes, demonstrating the intense back-and-forth nature of the contest. After a scoring drought in the fourth quarter, the Trojans responded with a late run, pulling ahead for the regionally significant win. Trevecca will continue their hunt for leaderboard positioning as they face the University of Alabama in Huntsville on Saturday.

Trevecca Men's Team Outlasts UWA in Double Overtime, 106-102

NASHVILLE, TN — The Trevecca Nazarene men's basketball team fought valiantly but fell to the University of West Alabama in a double-overtime thriller, 106-102. The Trojans (12-7, 7-6 GSC) showcased impressive offensive abilities, with Justin Bass leading the team with a game-high 22 points.

After battling back from an early 7-0 deficit, Trevecca found themselves tied at the end of regulation and fought through an exhausting overtime. Despite some late-game turnovers, the Trojans remained in contention throughout. Trevecca made 36 of 73 shots, demonstrating solid offensive execution, yet struggled on defense, giving up multiple fouls that allowed UWA to convert at the charity stripe. The Trojans aim to bounce back in their next matchup against the Chargers, keeping their tournament hopes alive.

Austin Peay Governors Fall in Nail-Biter to North Florida, 69-66

CLARKSVILLE, TN — The Austin Peay State University women's basketball team suffered a tough 69-66 home loss to North Florida on Thursday night at F&M Bank Arena, despite a strong effort from Lameria Thomas, who posted a 16-point, 11-rebound double-double. The Governors (13-6, 5-4 ASUN) dug themselves into an early hole, managing only six points in the first quarter as North Florida raced out to a 21-6 lead.

Austin Peay mounted a furious comeback, outscoring the Ospreys 29-14 in the third quarter to briefly take the lead. Jim'Miyah Branton led the Govs with 17 points and five steals, while Thomas secured her second double-double of the season. However, a clutch three-pointer by North Florida's Alonya Waldon with 15 seconds left proved to be the difference-maker. The Governors look to rebound as they host Jacksonville on Saturday afternoon.