Texas Southern Struggled in Loss to Fairleigh Dickinson

Texas Southern Tigers were defeated by the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights at the 2023 NCAA First Four contest in Dayton, Ohio.

The Texas Southern Tigers struggled with their defensive assignments, consistently pounding the ball in the paint, and hitting jumpers from three-point range during their 84-61 loss to the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights at the NCAA Men's First Four game in Dayton, Ohio. 

Mar 15, 2023; Dayton, OH, USA; Texas Southern Tigers guard PJ Henry (3) moves the ball defended by Fairleigh Dickinson Knights guard Demetre Roberts (2) at UD Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The 2023 SWAC Men's Tournament Champions trailed most of the match after scoring the first points. TSU cut the deficit to 26-23 in the first half but couldn't create enough offense and defensive stops to edge closer. 

As a unit, TSU racked up 24 fouls allowing FDU 31 trips to the free-throw line scoring 27 of its 84 points. Texas Southern should have capitalized on its height and size but went 8-of-9 from the charity stripe against the shortest team in NCAA Division I.

The Knights gave themselves fastbreak opportunities with 27 defensive rebounds and created eight turnovers with their full-court press.

Mar 15, 2023; Dayton, OH, USA; Texas Southern Tigers forward Joirdon Karl Nicholas (5) dunks the ball in the first half against the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights at UD Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

March 15, 2023; Joirdon Karl Nicholas and John Walker III talk about the the wisdom and mentorship of TSU head basketball coach Johnny Jones.  Credit: NCAA

March 15, 2023; Texas Southern with head basketball coach Johnny Jones talks about his players and the loss to Fairleigh Dickinson in the NCAA First Four game. Credit: NCAA

Sophomore Ansley Almonor led the FDU scoring with five treys in his game-high 23-point outing. Every Knights' starter scored from beyond the arc. They drained 11-of-27 three-point shots as a team compared to the Tigers' dreadful 1-of-16 performance.

Senior John Walker III led Texas Southern with a team-high 22 points while shooting 9-of-17 from the field. Joirdon Karl Nicholas, also a senior, added 10 points on 5-of-9 shooting and eight rebounds. Fairleigh Dickinson took advantage of his second-half foul trouble during their 16-2 streak, which put the game out of hand for the Tigers.

Texas Southern's starting guard and leader PJ Henry scored once for 2 points, and Devon Barnes contributed 8 points on the night.

Johnny Jones and TSU had not lost in three-consecutive First Four trips. Next season will be a time for Jones and his staff to re-tool with the pending departures of John Walker III and Joirdon Karl Nicholas.