Mekowulu scores 25, Tennessee State beats SIU-Edwardsville

Jan 26, 2018, 03:59 am

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Christian Mekowulu had 25 points, on 8-of-13 shooting, and nine rebounds and Ken'Darrius Hamilton scored 15 points to help Tennessee State beat SIU-Edwardsville 85-57 on Thursday night.

Mekowulu, whose career high is 26 points, scored 24 in the Tigers' road loss to SIUE on Jan. 13. Delano Spencer scored 14 points and Darreon Reddick added 11 for Tennessee State (9-11, 4-3 Ohio Valley), which shot 54 percent (28 of 52) and scored 30 points off 22 Cougars turnovers.

Hamilton opened the scoring with a layup and his 3-pointer made it 13-2. SIUE twice trimmed its deficit to nine points before Mekowulu's jumper with 8:55 left in the first half pushed the lead into double figures for good. Tennessee State led 42-19 at the break as the Cougars made just 7 of 23 (30 percent) from the field, including 0 of 8 from 3, in the first half.

Christian Ellis, David McFarland and Jalen Henry scored 11 points apiece for SIUE (7-13, 3-6).