NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — A second-half surge fueled by Travis Harper and Aaron Nkrumah propelled Tennessee State to a 78-71 victory over Tennessee-Martin in an Ohio Valley Conference men’s basketball game Thursday night at the Howard Gentry Complex.

In a contest defined by runs and rugged defense, the Tigers overcame a five-point halftime deficit by outscoring the Skyhawks 46-34 after intermission. The win improved Tennessee State to 7-4 overall, while Tennessee-Martin fell to 8-4.

The game’s pivotal shift occurred early in the second half. After leading 37-32 at the break, Tennessee-Martin saw its advantage quickly evaporate. Tennessee State opened the final period on a 12-5 run, capped by a driving layup from Dante Harris that gave the Tigers a 44-42 lead with 16:50 remaining, their first since the opening minutes. The Tigers never trailed again, methodically building their lead as the Skyhawks’ offense sputtered.

Harper, a 6-foot-6 guard from Columbus, Georgia, was instrumental in the comeback, scoring 16 points, including two critical three-pointers. His backcourt mate, Aaron Nkrumah of Worcester, Massachusetts, led all scorers with 23 points, attacking the rim consistently and converting key free throws down the stretch. The duo combined for 39 points, providing the offensive firepower Tennessee State lacked in a disjointed first half.

Tennessee-Martin, which had relied on a balanced international attack all season, was led by Lithuanian forward Matas Deniusas with 17 points and three assists, and Serbian teammates Filip Radaković and Andrija Bukumirović, who each added 16 points. The Skyhawks built their first-half lead through interior play and second-chance opportunities, amassing 12 offensive rebounds to Tennessee State’s four for the game.

However, the Skyhawks’ offensive efficiency collapsed after halftime. They shot just 4 of 19 from three-point range for the game and committed 16 turnovers, which the Tigers converted into 19 points. Tennessee State, by contrast, took care of the ball with only nine turnovers and shot a efficient 50% from the field (30 of 60).

Despite the loss, Tennessee-Martin stayed within striking distance until the final minute, closing to within four points on several occasions. A driving layup by Bukumirović cut the deficit to 72-70 with just 43 seconds left. But Tennessee State sealed the game at the free-throw line, with Harris and Jalen Pitre making clutch shots, before Nkrumah punctuated the win with a steal and breakaway dunk in the final seconds.

The Tigers’ defensive adjustment after halftime was stark. They limited the Skyhawks’ paint touches and forced them into contested perimeter shots, holding them to a 97.6 offensive rating on 73 possessions. Tennessee State finished with a 106.1 offensive rating, outperforming their pregame expectations as a 3.5-point favorite. The combined score of 149 points went well over the posted over/under line of 140.5.

The game, played before an intimate crowd of 307, was a conference opener for both teams. Tennessee State will look to build on the momentum Saturday when they host Southeast Missouri State. Tennessee-Martin, meanwhile, aims to rebound quickly as they travel to face Tennessee Tech on Saturday.