Tennessee State Tops Lindenwood in Close Contest
Thursday, February 19, 2026, 8:30 PM ET · Gentry Center
Tennessee State Tigers 89, Lindenwood Lions 80, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Lindenwood Lions vs Tennessee State Tigers?
Tennessee State Tigers beat Lindenwood Lions 89-80 at Gentry Center on February 19, 2026.
Who was favored in Lindenwood Lions vs Tennessee State Tigers?
Tennessee State Tigers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -175 (about 64% implied). The favorite won.
In a tightly contested matchup, the Tennessee State Tigers defeated the Lindenwood Lions 89-80 at the Gentry Center on February 20, 2026. This victory marks an important win for the Tigers, who now hold a home record of 19-9 and continue to assert their strength at home. The Tigers have been performing well this season, boasting an overall record of 18-9, while the Lions fall to 16-13 following this loss.
Tennessee State entered the game with a recent form of 7-3 over their last ten games, although they were on a one-game losing streak after falling to Morehead State 86-94 in their previous outing. They averaged 81.4 points scored and allowed 76.9 points during this stretch. Notably, their last five games showed a slight dip in scoring, with an average of 80.8 points scored and 75.8 points allowed. At home, they have been particularly strong, holding a 5-1 record in their last six games.
On the other hand, Lindenwood came into the game with a record of 6-4 in their last ten games, also on a one-game losing streak after losing to Southeast Missouri State 61-73. The Lions averaged 75.7 points scored and 74.6 points allowed during this period. Their last five games indicate a scoring average of 73.2 points while allowing 75.4 points. They have performed well on the road, with a 4-1 record in their last five away games prior to this matchup.
The two teams have met four times in recent seasons, with Tennessee State leading the head-to-head record 3-1. Their most recent encounter on January 24, 2026, resulted in a 96-86 victory for Tennessee State. In the previous season, Tennessee State also secured wins against Lindenwood, including a 69-55 victory on March 7, 2025, and an 84-76 win on February 8, 2025. Lindenwood's only victory in this span came earlier in the 2025 season, where they won 72-62.
In terms of injuries, the block does not provide specific details regarding player availability for either team, which could have an impact on performance. However, it is clear that both teams are looking to solidify their standings as they approach the end of the season.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Tennessee State favored by 3.5 points, with a total set at 159.5. The odds for Tennessee State to win straight up were -175, while Lindenwood's odds were set at +145. This indicates that Tennessee State was expected to perform well at home, reflecting their strong record and recent performances.
The game conditions were typical for a mid-season college basketball matchup, and both teams showcased their offensive capabilities throughout the contest. The scoring plays in the second half featured a series of free throws from Aaron Nkrumah and Travis Harper II, which ultimately helped secure the victory for Tennessee State. The Tigers maintained a narrow lead as the game progressed, with Lindenwood unable to close the gap significantly despite their efforts.
Viewers should have noted the intensity of the game, with both teams displaying their offensive strategies and defensive adjustments. The final score reflects a competitive battle, with Tennessee State managing to hold off Lindenwood's attempts to rally back in the closing minutes. This game adds another chapter to the ongoing rivalry between these two teams, setting the stage for future encounters as they both strive for success in the league.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | TNST -3.5 | 159.5 o -108 / u -112 | Lindenwood Lions +145 · Tennessee State Tigers -175 |
Leaders
- PointsDante Harris21Tennessee State Tigers
- AssistsAaron Nkrumah4Tennessee State Tigers
- ReboundsJalen Pitre13Tennessee State Tigers
- PointsAnias Futrell27Lindenwood Lions
- AssistsMekhi Cooper4Lindenwood Lions
- ReboundsAnias Futrell8Lindenwood Lions
Recent form
Tennessee State Tigers
Last 10: 7-3Streak L181.4 scored · 76.9 allowed per game5-1 at home
- L86-94at Morehead State EaglesFeb 14
- W73-71at Southern Indiana Screaming EaglesFeb 13
- W83-56vs Western Illinois LeathernecksFeb 7
- W77-68vs Eastern Illinois PanthersFeb 6
- L85-90vs Tennessee Tech Golden EaglesFeb 3
- W70-63vs Little Rock TrojansJan 30
- W96-86at Lindenwood LionsJan 24
- L66-74at SIU Edwardsville CougarsJan 23
- W73-67vs Southern Indiana Screaming EaglesJan 17
- W105-100vs Morehead State EaglesJan 16
Lindenwood Lions
Last 10: 6-4Streak L175.7 scored · 74.6 allowed per game4-1 away
- L61-73vs Southeast Missouri State RedhawksFeb 14
- W75-74vs UT Martin SkyhawksFeb 13
- W79-74at Little Rock TrojansFeb 6
- L72-78vs SIU Edwardsville CougarsFeb 4
- W79-78at Morehead State EaglesJan 31
- W73-60at Southern Indiana Screaming EaglesJan 30
- L86-96vs Tennessee State TigersJan 24
- W89-68vs Tennessee Tech Golden EaglesJan 23
- L55-69at UT Martin SkyhawksJan 17
- W88-76at Southeast Missouri State RedhawksJan 16
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee State | 23-10 | - | 15-5 |
| Morehead State | 20-13 | - | 15-5 |
| Southeast Missouri State | 20-13 | 1 | 14-6 |
| UT Martin | 22-11 | 2 | 13-7 |
| SIU Edwardsville | 19-13 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Lindenwood | 18-15 | 4 | 11-9 |
| Little Rock | 12-20 | 6 | 9-11 |
| Tennessee Tech | 13-18 | 6 | 8-12 |
| Eastern Illinois | 13-20 | 7 | 8-12 |
| Southern Indiana | 7-23 | 11 | 4-16 |
| Western Illinois | 5-26 | 14 | 1-19 |
Box score
| Stat | Lindenwood Lions | Tennessee State Tigers |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 28-58 | 31-71 |
| Field goal % | 48 | 44 |
| Three-pointers | 6-16 | 5-17 |
| Three-point % | 38 | 29 |
| Free throws | 18-25 | 22-31 |
| Free throw % | 72 | 71 |
| Rebounds | 36 | 42 |
| Offensive rebounds | 9 | 19 |
| Defensive rebounds | 27 | 23 |
| Assists | 11 | 10 |
| Steals | 10 | 12 |
| Blocks | 6 | 1 |
| Turnovers | 19 | 12 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 1 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 7 | 31 |
| Fast-break points | 17 | 19 |
| Points in the paint | 44 | 38 |
| Fouls | 20 | 17 |
| Largest lead | 14 | 9 |
| Lead changes | 5 | 5 |
| Time in front | 48 | 40 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half55-60Jalen Pitre makes 0-foot tip in dunk
- 2nd Half57-60Dontrez Williams makes layup
- 2nd Half57-61Aaron Nkrumah makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half58-61Anias Futrell makes free throw 1 of 3
- 2nd Half59-61Anias Futrell makes free throw 3 of 3
- 2nd Half61-61Anias Futrell makes layup
- 2nd Half63-61Milos Nenadic makes layup (Anias Futrell assists)
- 2nd Half63-63Dante Harris makes 16-foot jumper
- 2nd Half65-63Anias Futrell makes layup
- 2nd Half66-63Anias Futrell makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half66-65Jalen Pitre makes layup (Aaron Nkrumah assists)
- 2nd Half66-66Jalen Pitre makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half67-66Milos Nenadic makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half68-66Milos Nenadic makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half68-68Carlous Williams makes 1-foot dunk (Aaron Nkrumah assists)
- 2nd Half68-70Carlous Williams makes 0-foot tip in dunk
- 2nd Half68-72Jalen Pitre makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half70-72Dontrez Williams makes layup
- 2nd Half70-74Jalen Pitre makes 1-foot dunk (Aaron Nkrumah assists)
- 2nd Half72-74Anias Futrell makes 15-foot jumper
- 2nd Half72-75Dante Harris makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half72-76Carlous Williams makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half72-77Carlous Williams makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half72-78Aaron Nkrumah makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half72-79Aaron Nkrumah makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half74-79Dontrez Williams makes layup
- 2nd Half74-80Dante Harris makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half74-81Dante Harris makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half76-81Dontrez Williams makes layup
- 2nd Half77-81Dontrez Williams makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half77-82Aaron Nkrumah makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half79-82Dontrez Williams makes layup
- 2nd Half80-82Dontrez Williams makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half80-83Aaron Nkrumah makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half80-84Aaron Nkrumah makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half80-85Aaron Nkrumah makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half80-86Travis Harper II makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half80-87Travis Harper II makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half80-88Travis Harper II makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half80-89Travis Harper II makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Tennessee State Tigers, below favours Lindenwood Lions.
Venue
- Gentry CenterNashville, TN
- Attendance256
- OfficialsJames Hicks, JP Primm, Jake Kuhlman
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond