Tennessee State tops Morehead State, makes 1st NCAA Tournament since 1994

Field Level Media|published: Sat 7th March, 23:57 2026

Nov 20, 2025; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee State Tigers head coach Nolan Smith during the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images

Antoine Lorick III scored 18 points as top-seeded Tennessee State dominated second-seeded Morehead State 93-67 on Saturday night in the Ohio Valley Conference Championship Final in Evansville, Ind., to stamp the Tigers' first ticket to the NCAA Tournament since 1994.

Four more players hit double figures for the Tigers (23-9), who are in their first season under the helm of Nolan Smith, the former Duke and NBA player. Travis Harper II had 17 points, Dante Harris and Carlous Williams had 16 apiece and Aaron Nkrumah scored 14.

Harris added 11 rebounds as the Tigers outrebounded the Eagles 44-29. Tennessee State built its lead to 21 points 12 minutes in when Harris hit a 3-pointer for a 39-18 advantage. The Tigers led 55-34 at the break.

George Marshall scored 17 points for Morehead State (20-13), which pushed in the second half and got the lead down to 12 with 11 minutes left.

But that was as close as the Eagles would get, as the lead eventually ballooned to 28 in the closing minutes.

--Field Level Media

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