Dawgs Drop Tough One to GCAC Leaders

NASHVILLE – For the sixth time this season, the Fisk University Bulldogs (13-14, 10-7 GCAC) had a letdown in the second half and suffered a loss. This time it was to the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference leading Tougaloo College (22-5, 14-3 GCAC) falling 77-75. The loss is the third home defeat in a row for Fisk and prevents them moving up to third in the conference standings.

"We just can't seem to play 40 minutes," said Fisk Head Coach Kenny Anderson. "Magic Johnson calls it "Winning Time" and we have finished in some game but others we seem to get in our own way. We had this team on the ropes and let them out. We have on more game to figure this out before the tournament."

After taking a 34-28 lead into halftime, the Bulldogs let Tougaloo back in it as they started the second half on a 13-5 run to go up 41-38. Fisk's Blake Goodman then got hot, scoring half his team's points in an 18-6 run to build the lead to nine with 11:12 to go.

Tougaloo chipped away and took the lead back at the 5:27 mark on a basket by Keondre Montgomery to make the score 66-64. The final minute was interesting as Fisk came back from a four-point deficit to take the lead 75-74 on a quick five-point spurt by Jayden Lockett. On the ensuing possession, it looked like Lockett had a clean steal and a breakaway, but a foul was called.

Montgomery made both free throws and Antonio Patterson split two to push the TC lead to two with 3.5 seconds left. Rodney Wiley turned the ball over on Fisk's final possession.

Montgomery scored 19 of his game-high 22 points to lead Tougaloo who had two others in double figures. Lockett led Fisk with 17 points and added seven steals to his league leading total. Goodman chipped in 16 points, Michael Ashley had a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds. Tyon Thompson  finished with 12 points off the bench.