GALLATIN – Mario Campbell poured in 24 points and hauled down 14 boards to record a double-double in the TJCCAA/NJCAA Region VII tournament Wednesday.   They beat the Generals of Jackson State 78-68 in the first round of the tournament.

The Senators held one of the leagues leading scorers, Antwan Coby (19.5 PPG) to just three second half points, and held the Generals to 29 second half points.   The Senators tied the game at the five minute mark of the second half after trailing as much as ten points in the first. 

Freeman Pinkney, who struggled offensively until that point, poured in nine points in the final five minutes of the ball game.  Campbell was 10-16 from the floor and 4-6 from the free-throw line.  Kelsey Rose finished with 10 points. 

“We couldn’t get things started in the first half,” said Senators head coach Bill Carlyle, “but I thought we played pretty well in the second half.  Our defense looked a lot better.  We need do a little better from the foul line and be ready to play when we take the court.”

Jamar Jenkins led the Generals with 19 points.  He was 6-16 from the floor with three 3-pointers.  Coby and finished with 13 points.   He was 5-5 from the charity stripe.  Spen Valdor finished with 13 points and seven rebounds.