GREENEVILLE, Tenn. — The Tusculum University men’s basketball team used a 22-9 second half run as the Pioneers rallied to a thrilling 113-104 South Atlantic Conference win over Coker University Saturday afternoon at Pioneer Arena.
Tusculum (12-12, 10-8 SAC) shot a blistering 62.5 percent from the floor including 12-of-22 from three-point territory as the Pioneers avenged an earlier season loss and moved into a tie with the Cobras (14-14, 10-8) for fifth place in the league standings.
Six Pioneers scored in double figures, led by Connor Jordan‘s 22-point effort, while senior Kobe Funderburk came a point shy of a career-high with his season-best 20 markers. Funderburk made his first six shots including five straight 3-pointers. Akeem Odusipe scored a career-best 17 points as he was a perfect 7-of-7 from the floor and hauled in a team-high seven rebounds. Jacob Hobbs scored a season-best 15 points for a second straight outing, while Josiah Morris added 11 points in the victory.
Tusculum’s 40 made field goals are tied for the ninth-most in recorded program history, while TU’s 26 assists are also tied for the ninth-most in the school record book.
The last time Tusculum placed six players in double figure scoring came against King on Nov. 10, 2017 in the season-opener.
TU’s 113 points are a season-high and the most by the Pioneers at home since posting 113 points against Mars Hill on Feb. 22, 2017. The 107 points scored by Coker are the most by a TU opponent in a win since surrendering 104 to Lees-McRae (105-104) on Nov. 17, 1997.
Tusculum forced 16 turnovers on a dozen steals resulting into 22 points. TU outscored the Cobras 52-44 in the paint and held a 51-6 advantage in fast break points.
The 217 combined points matches the most ever scored by two opponents at Pioneer Arena since Feb. 5, 2005 in a 116-101 victory over Wingate.
Tusculum will play its home finale this Wednesday when they host UVA Wise for Senior Night. TU will recognize its five seniors immediately following the women’s contest, which precedes the men’s game. Listen to the game on 95.5FM WSMG.
