TALLADEGA, Ala. (Interstat) — The Tougaloo Bulldogs used a dominant first half and withstood a second-half rally to defeat the Talladega Tornadoes 84-70 in a men’s NAIA basketball game on Monday night.

Tougaloo, which led by as many as 18 points in the opening period, built a 37-29 lead after a frenetic first quarter and extended it to 84-70 by the final horn. The victory improved the Bulldogs to 14-5 on the season, while Talladega fell to 10-8.

The most critical phase of the game was its opening minutes, which set a decisive tone. Both teams opened with a flurry of missed shots and turnovers, but it was Tougaloo that first found its composure and offensive rhythm. After Talladega’s Shaun Walker scored the game’s first basket nearly 90 seconds in, the Bulldogs responded with a 13-2 run over the next three minutes. The surge was fueled by efficient offense and disruptive defense, as Tougaloo capitalized on early Tornadoes miscues.

Antonio Patterson was instrumental in establishing Tougaloo’s early command. The guard scored 11 of his team-high 21 points in the first quarter, including a 3-pointer at the buzzer that capped the period and stifled any Talladega momentum. His backcourt mate, Tyler Hudson, added 7 points in the quarter, helping the Bulldogs shoot 54% from the field in the opening frame while forcing eight Talladega turnovers.

Talladega, led by Walker’s game-high 23 points, never fully recovered from the early deficit despite a more competitive second quarter where they outscored Tougaloo 41-47. The Tornadoes trimmed the lead to single digits on several occasions, but each time the Bulldogs had an answer, often from Patterson or Demarcus Hollis, who finished with 15 points and 8 rebounds.

Tougaloo’s offensive efficiency proved to be the difference. The Bulldogs shot 54.5% from the field overall and a sharp 52.9% from 3-point range. They also converted 15 of 19 free throw attempts. Talladega, meanwhile, struggled at the line, making only 8 of 17 attempts, a deficit that offset their own 10 made 3-pointers.

Eric Steward Jr. provided a key all-around performance for Tougaloo with 10 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Jagger Young directed the offense with 8 assists. For Talladega, Tre Simmons supported Walker with 12 points and 5 assists, and Derek Burditt handed out a team-high 8 assists.

Despite an even rebounding battle with each team grabbing 30 boards, Tougaloo’s ability to generate offense from its defense was pivotal. The Bulldogs recorded 11 steals, leading to 19 points off Talladega’s 15 turnovers.

The game was the first of a home-and-home series between the teams this season. They are scheduled to meet again on Monday, Feb. 9, in Tougaloo, Mississippi.

Tougaloo will next host Oakwood on Thursday. Talladega is set to face Voorhees University at home on Wednesday.