Bulldogs Get Second Consecutive Upset Win

MCKENZIE, Tenn. – Tyon Thompson scored 25 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, and Jayden Lockett added 15 as the Fisk University Bulldogs (3-5) defeated the Life University Running Eagles (8-1) 77-70 in the Bethel Thanksgiving Classic from McKenzie, Tennessee. The victory was the second in a row for the surging Bulldogs. Both wins were over opponents that they were picked to lose against.

"Another great team effort from start to finish," said Fisk assistant coach Russell Acklin. "Our leaders led us tonight. This was a team effort from the managers to the staff to the players. Beating two teams with the caliber of Bethel and Life is not easy. Thanks to everyone."

FIRST HALF| 36-36, Fisk Starts Fast but Can't Hold the Lead  

Fisk started out fast, taking a 20-10 lead at the 13:24 mark of the first half. A 14-2 Life run gave them a 24-22 lead. Both teams went back and forth to end the half, tied at 36. Blake Goodman led the Bulldogs with ten points, Thompson added nine, and Rodney Wiley chipped in eight.

SECOND HALF| Fisk 41-34, Thompson, and Lockett Carry Bulldogs to Victory

Thompson and Lockett took over the second half, combining for 29 points to secure the win. With the Running Eagles keying on Goodman, Thompson was aggressive, going to the line ten times and hitting nine of them. Defensively, he had three steals in the half. Lockett went 6-of-9 from the field in the half, scoring 13 points.

Up 66-64 with 2:48 to go in regulation, Lockett's putback off a Thompson miss started an 8-0 run that put the game away for the Bulldogs. Thompson went 7-of-8 from the free-throw line down the stretch to seal the deal.

Goodman had 12 points to round out the Bulldogs with double digits in points. Lockett missed recording a triple-double for the game as he grabbed nine rebounds and had seven assists. Fisk outrebounded Life 37-30 and only committed seven fouls.