Sin City Shakedown: Tigers Take Down the Rebels
The lights of Las Vegas have seen plenty of upsets, but December 13, 2025, delivered a different kind of show. The Tennessee State Tigers marched into Lee's Family Forum in Henderson and walked out with a statement-making 63-60 victory over the UNLV Runnin' Rebels at the Jack Jones Classic. This was not just a win. This was a declaration.
For an HBCU program looking to cement its place among college basketball's rising forces, knocking off a storied program like UNLV, a team that once dominated the 1990 NCAA Championship with the largest margin of victory in title game history, carries weight. The Tigers (6-4) proved they belong in the conversation, and they did it with grit, defense, and clutch execution when it mattered most.
The Game That Flipped the Script
Tennessee State trailed 33-29 at halftime, staring down a hostile environment and a Rebels squad desperate for momentum. But the second half belonged to the Tigers. They outscored UNLV 34-27 after the break, turning up the defensive intensity and dominating the paint with 20 of their 34 second-half points coming inside.
The numbers tell the story of a defensive masterclass. Tennessee State forced 18 turnovers, converting them into 15 points, while holding the Rebels to a frigid 37.3% from the field and a dismal 20% from three-point range (3-of-15). When UNLV needed buckets, TSU locked the door.
The Tigers controlled the glass, grabbing 13 offensive rebounds that translated into 16 second-chance points. They finished with a 39-36 rebounding advantage and outscored the Rebels 40-32 in the paint. This was not finesse basketball. This was old-school, physical, win-the-war-in-the-trenches hoops.
Aaron Nkrumah: The Hero Vegas Did Not See Coming
Every upset needs a hero, and Aaron Nkrumah delivered the moment. The forward led Tennessee State with 12 points and 8 rebounds, tying Travis Harper II for the team scoring lead. But it was his clutch play down the stretch that sealed the deal.
With the game tied and under 30 seconds remaining, Nkrumah drove to the basket and finished a go-ahead layup that gave TSU the lead for good. Earlier in the second half, he knocked down a critical three-pointer during a 7-0 run that gave the Tigers a 38-36 lead with 15:43 left, igniting the comeback.
Nkrumah, who entered the game averaging 10.9 points per game for the season, rose to the occasion when the stakes were highest. That is what stars do.
UNLV's Struggles Continue
For UNLV (4-6), this loss stings. The Rebels, coached by Kevin Kruger in his fourth season, have struggled to find consistency in 2025-26. They led by as many as nine points in the first half (29-20) and held a 60-58 advantage with 3:20 remaining, only to go scoreless the rest of the way. Tennessee State closed on a 5-0 run, suffocating the Rebels when it mattered most.
Free throw woes plagued UNLV, and their inability to capitalize on late possessions proved costly. Dravyn Gibbs-Lawhorn led the Rebels with 13 points, while Tyrin Jones added 11, but the offense sputtered when they needed it most.
This is a program with championship DNA, but the 2025-26 season has been a reality check. The Rebels finished 18-15 overall and 11-9 in Mountain West play, a far cry from the glory days of Jerry Tarkanian's dynasty.
The HBCU Upset Era Is Here
Tennessee State's victory is the latest in a growing trend of HBCU programs taking down Power Conference and mid-major heavyweights. Earlier in the 2025-26 season, Southern University stunned previously unbeaten Arizona, adding to a resume that included a road upset of Oklahoma the previous year.
These are not flukes. These are programs investing in talent, coaching, and infrastructure. Tennessee State, under head coach Brian Collins in his seventh season, finished 17-16 overall and 12-8 in the Ohio Valley Conference in 2025-26. They are building something sustainable, and wins like this validate the vision.
HBCU basketball is no longer content to be a footnote in March Madness brackets. Programs like Tennessee State, Norfolk State, and Southern are demanding respect, and they are earning it one upset at a time.
What This Means for Tennessee State
This win is a resume builder. Tennessee State proved it can compete away from home against a program with national championship pedigree. The Tigers showed poise in a hostile environment, executed defensively, and made winning plays in crunch time.
For a program looking to make noise in the OVC and beyond, this is the kind of signature victory that recruits notice. It is the kind of win that changes the narrative. Tennessee State is not just an HBCU program grinding through a schedule. They are a team that can beat anybody on any given night.
The Road Ahead
Tennessee State's season is far from over, and this victory sets the tone for what is possible. The Tigers have proven they can hang with quality competition, and their defensive identity gives them a chance in every game.
For UNLV, the soul-searching continues. Kevin Kruger's squad has the talent but needs to find consistency and mental toughness. Losing at home to an OVC opponent is a wake-up call.
But make no mistake: this night belonged to Tennessee State. The Tigers walked into Vegas, took down a former national champion, and reminded the college basketball world that HBCU programs are not here to participate. They are here to win.
Final Score: Tennessee State 63, UNLV 60
The house always wins in Vegas. Except when the Tigers come to town.
