JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. -- Daivien Williamson scored 23 points and Mladen Armus blocked the potential tying shot in the closing seconds and East Tennessee State held on to defeat VMI 85-82 on Thursday night for its eighth straight win.

The Buccaneers (16-4, 6-1 Southern Conference) had a 21-point lead midway through the first half, led by 14 at halftime and by a dozen with five minutes to play. Bubba Parham's layup cut the lead to three with 18 seconds left but he failed to convert a 3-point play. ETSU's Patrick Good missed the front end of a one-and-one with 12.5 to go and Parham dribbled to the top of the key and tried to find an open spot before going up for a shot that Armus blocked.

Bo Hodges added 17 points and Tray Boyd III had 13 for the Bucs, who their 10 straight at home by shooting 55 percent.

Parham had five 3-pointers and 25 points for the Keydets (6-12, 0-6), who have lost five straight. Myles Lewis added 17 points.