PULASKI, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee Southern men's basketball team gave up the first bucket of the game, but battled back and outlasted Middle Georgia State 79-74 on Thursday. Middle Georgia State (6-11, 2-9) would begin the game in lead, but would trail the rest of the way. #18 UT Southern would out shoot the visitors 45 to 42 percent in the opening half to lead 38-29 at the break.

In the final half, the Knights would hang tough down the stretch, cashing in on several trips to the charity stripe.  Adarion Hudson and Kendall Wright would contribute 11 point each in the final period. MGS out rebounded UTS 29-23 in the win.

Wright led all scorers with 20 points. Hudson added 19 points and six assists. Brandon Brown and Tad Sivley each added 11 points in the win. 

CAREER WIN 100

Head Coach Dugan Lyne earned his 100th career win with the 79-74 win tonight. Lyne is in his sixth season as head mentor of the Firehawks. Lyne has averaged 16 wins per season in his first five years as head coach. Lyne is the fourth head coach in program history to log 100 wins. He currently ranks fourth in wins on the UTS/MMC all time list.

NEXT UP

UT Southern will host their third SSAC opponent of the week on Saturday, January 27^th, when Brewton-Parker comes to town. The Firehawks and Barons will clash at 2 p.m. The teams met earlier this season in Mt. Vernon, Ga., UTS defeated BPC 67-65 in overtime.

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