Oakwood University stormed back from a 19-point deficit in the second half  Saturday night, but Tennessee Southern hit some key free throws down the stretch to come away with an 83-79 victory at Ashby Auditorium.

The Firehawks improved to 3-1 with the win, while the loss, Oakwood's fourth straight, dropped the Ambassadors to 1-5.

Tennessee Southern led 15-4 less than eight minutes into the game, but Oakwood scored 17 unanswered points to take a 21-15 advantage on a 3-pointer by Justin Watson with 7:26 left in the first half. The Firehawks regained their composure and led 31-29 at intermission.

Tennessee Southern flexed its muscle in the second half, taking a commanding 55-36 advantage on a 3-pointer by Malik Tyson, a former Sparkman High School standout, with 13:06 remaining. However, the Ambassadors fought their way back again.

A'drelin Robinson's 3-pointer pulled Oakwood within 78-73 with 39 seconds left and Nicholas Kennard's layup made it 78-75 with 21 seconds left, but Tennessee Southern hit four free throws in the final 17 seconds to seal the victory.

Robinson led Oakwood with 19 points on 8-of-15 shooting and also grabbed seven rebounds. Jordan Greene  finished with 15 points. He was 5-of-6 from the field, 3-of-4 from 3-point range and made both of his free throws.

Kennard finished with 14 points, while Judelin  Prophete had 10 points, 11 rebounds and six blocked shots.

Kavion Hancock led Tennessee Southern with 19 points. Kendall Wright, another former Sparkman High standout, finished with 11 points and eight rebounds.

The difference in the game came at the free throw line. Tennessee Southern was 24-of-28, while Oakwood was 3-of-9.