LAKELAND, Fla.- Savannah State erased a 22 point second half deficit with a big run but could not hold on down the stretch as the Tigers fell to 0-2 on the young season following a 97-94 loss to Florida Southern in a game played November 9, 2024 in Jenkins Field House.

SSU trailed 69-47 early in the second period but kept chipping away at their deficit.

Down 74-59 at the 11:10 mark, the Tigers strung together a 25-9 run that gave them a 84-83 edge with 4:52 remaining following a layup by Jaydon Cousin.

Florida Southern answered and built a 91-86 advantage with 2:17 remaining. While SSU was able to close their gap to 95-94 with 24 seconds left after a layup by Jeremiah Barze, they would not be able to get any closer.

Savannah State ended the contest shooting 47.7 percent from the field while making 52 percent of their shots from behind the arch.

SSU also had a 40 to 32 rebounding edge.

Florida Southern led by five early on but back-to-back 3-pointers by Ayjay Plain and Javonte Landy gave SSU a 12-11 lead with 15:40 left in the first period.

The Mocs answered and was able to go ahead by as many as nine before a 3-pointer by Plain cut their lead to 26-23 with 10:41 on the clock.

Florida Southern then went on a 30-8 spurt that gave them their largest lead of the game at 56-31 with 1:47 on the clock.

The Tigers finished the half scoring the final six points with Lundy and Barze making two free throws apiece and Damerius Puttman scoring on a tip in.

SSU trailed 56-37 at intermission.

Barze opened the second half with five straight points as a result of a 3-pointer and a dunk to slice their deficit to 56-42 with 19:31 showing on the clock.

FSC was able to add on to their lead and went ahead by 22 with just under 17 minutes left.

Savannah State had four players in double figures.

Plain had a team-high 26 points. The senior guard made six 3-pointers and dished out five assists. Landy came off the bench to add 23 points before fouling out. Barze scored 19 points and Qua King chipped in 11 points and six rebounds. Jerry Maxinaud had a game-high 21 rebounds to go with his six points for SSU.

The Tigers will be back in action on November at Embry-Riddle.