Middle Tennessee defeats Tennessee St. 75-65 behind King

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- Nick King scored 20 points, Brandon Walters scored 14 and Antwain Johnson scored 11 points and Middle Tennessee beat Tennessee State 75-65 on Saturday.

King scored his first eight points in a little more than the first six minutes, and his 3-point play gave Middle Tennessee (3-1) a 14-3 lead. Later, Darreon Reddick converted a 3-point play on a layup, buried a 3 and followed with a layup and East Tennessee State trailed 27-19 with 4:38 before halftime. But the Blue Raiders went on a 13-7 run to close the half and led 40-26.

Tyrik Dixon made a pair of free throws and Edward Simpson made a 3 and the lead went to 45-28. Tennessee State (1-2) never trailed by less than 10 points the rest of the way.

Armani Chaney led the Tigers with 14 points shooting 5 of 7, Reddick had 13 points and Delano Spencer added 12.