BELL, OAKWOOD HANG ON TO CAPTURE FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON AT TENNESSEE SOUTHERN

PULASKI, Tenn. – Jordan Bell scored a career-high 39 points Tuesday night and Oakwood University held off a late rally from Tennessee Southern to come away with a thrilling 77-75 non-conference win inside the Curry Athletic Complex.   Joshua Barnett's layup with 1:32 to play gave the Ambassadors a 77-69 advantage, but the Firehawks closed the game on a 6-0 run and came within a basket of sending the game into overtime.   Oakwood's Fred Parker fouled Antonio Cochran on a 3-point attempt with two seconds remaining and the Ambassadors clinging to a 77-74 lead.   Cochran missed the first free throw, made the second free throw to make it 77-75 and missed the third one on purpose and Oakwood's Grener Polynice grabbed the rebound and the Ambassadors escaped with their first win of the season.    "This was a gutsy win," Oakwood coach Simon Jacob said. "Our kids could have folded down the stretch, but they kept their composure for the most part, and we were able to get the victory. Hopefully, this will give us some confidence going forward."   Oakwood, which snapped its four-game losing streak, improved to 1-4 with the victory. Tennessee Southern fell to 1-1 with the loss.   Bell was 15-of-26 from the field, including 3-of-6 from 3-point range, and 6-of-9 from the free throw line.   Barnett finished with 17 points and eight rebounds. He was 7-of-16 from the field and had two assists and a steal.   Jordan Hill had 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting, two steals and one assist.   The Ambassadors shot 46 percent (29-of-63) from the field, including 23.1 percent (3-of-13) from 3-point range, and 76.2 percent (16-of-21) from the free throw line.   Mike Bell Jr. led Tennessee Southern with 23 points. De'Marreon Baldwin finished with 14 points and Luke Lentz added 12.   The Firehawks shot 47.2 percent (25-of-53) from the field, including 26.9 percent (7-of-26) from beyond the arc, and 65.5 percent (19-of-29) from the charity stripe.   Follow the Ambassadors Visit the official home of Oakwood University athletics at Oakwood University - Official Athletics Website.        
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