LORMAN &8212; Alcorn State danced its way into the postseason, thanks to the emergence of a new star.

Carl Landry &8212; a 24-year-old sophomore playing in just his 12th collegiate game &8212; scored eight of his game-high 19 points in the final 5:21 to lift Alcorn to an 84-77 victory over TSU.

The victory, coupled with Arkansas-Pine Bluff&8217;s victory over Mississippi Valley State, assures Alcorn (7-19 overall, 7-10 in SWAC) a spot in next week&8217;s SWAC Tournament.

&8220;Everything was on the line,&8221; Landry said. &8220;We had to win. Go home or go to the tournament? Hey, we wanted to go to the tournament.&8221;

Alcorn held a slight lead through much of the second half, but Texas Southern cut the deficit to just two &8212; at 66-64 &8212; on Jacques Jones&8217; free throw with 6:37 to play.

That&8217;s when Landry asserted himself.

He swished a baseline jumper for a 70-66 led with 5:21 to go, and he added an old-fashioned three-point play &8212; on a nifty feed from Delvin Thompson &8212; for a 73-68 lead with 4:02 to play.

He added a 16-footer with the shot clock running down to stake Alcorn to a 75-68 lead.

&8220;He took over the game,&8221; Alcorn coach Samuel West said.

Alcorn made 7-of-10 free throws in the final minute to seal the victory.

Three other Alcorn players scored in double figures, led by Thompson&8217;s 15 points. James Kendrick and Clif Douglass added 10 points apiece, and Sirdonta Washington had nine points and 10 rebounds.

&8220;Everyone felt pressure to win this one, from the coaching staff to the players all the way down to the trainer,&8221; Landry said.