St. Louis, Mo. - After shooting 58 percent in the first half, the Tigers hit 33 percent (8-of-24) from the field in the second as Tennessee State University dropped their third straight with a 78-50 loss to Saint Louis on Tuesday night in the Chaifetz Arena.

The Tigers (1-4) recorded 21 turnovers that led to SLU capitalizing on the mistakes for 29 points. The Billikens were fueled by the play from their bench, outscoring the Tiger reserves, 48-0. All SLU players that checked in scored with only five Tigers registering points.

For TSU, Robert Covington scored a game and season-high 21 points (9-of-12) hitting 3-of-4 from three-point range. He hauled in seven rebounds and tallied one block. Kenny Moore registered 11 points and six boards.

In the first half, the Tigers led out the gate, 11-2, before the Billikens tied it up twice. SLU knotted the score at 27 and used a 6-2 run including a shot with 10 seconds remaining to lead at the break, 33-29.

After taking a 36-33 lead in the opening minutes of the second, the Tigers were outscored, 33-8, falling behind, 66-44. TSU scored only six more points in the final five minutes to tally the outcome.

For SLU (2-2), Mike McCall came off the bench and posted 15 points, six assists and three steals. Jordair Jett and Cody Ellis each chipped in 11 points to help the Billikens shoot 52 percent from the floor including 56 percent from three-point range.

The Tigers will return home to face Belmont on Monday, Nov. 29, inside the Gentry Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.