NASHVILLE – Aaron Nkrumah recorded 26 points and 11 rebounds for his second straight double-double, and Tennessee State rolled past SIU-Edwardsville 80-53 in Ohio Valley Conference play Saturday at the Gentry Center.

The Tigers (19-9, 13-5) had three players score in double figures, led by Nkrumah, who shot efficiently from the field while adding 11 rebounds, two assists and active defense throughout. Antoine Lorick III contributed 15 points, six rebounds and three blocks, controlling the paint on both ends, and Travis Harper II finished with 12 points, attacking the rim and getting to the free-throw line. Tennessee State shot 49 percent from the floor and held SIU-Edwardsville to 32 percent shooting in a wire-to-wire victory.

The Tennessee State offense was strong from downtown, making eight threes on 19 attempts for 42.1 percent. Nkrumah hit two treys for the Tigers, while the balanced perimeter attack helped stretch the Cougars' defense and open driving lanes. The Tigers also dominated the glass, outrebounding SIU-Edwardsville 37-21, including a decisive edge on the defensive boards that limited second-chance opportunities.

Tennessee State forced 15 SIU-Edwardsville turnovers while committing 12 themselves in Saturday's game. The Tigers turned those takeaways into 19 points on the other end of the floor and held the Cougars to just 27 points in the second half. Dante Harris' four steals led the way for Tennessee State as the Tigers applied steady pressure in the passing lanes and converted in transition.

How It Happened

After jumping out to a 7-5 advantage, Tennessee State went on a 7-0 run with 15:05 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Nkrumah, to increase its lead to 14-5. The Tigers continued to build separation with defensive stops and transition scores, stretching the margin to double digits midway through the half. Tennessee State entered halftime with a 40-26 advantage after capitalizing on 11 SIU-Edwardsville turnovers and turning them into 11 points.

Following intermission, Tennessee State kept widening that lead, expanding it to 55-30 before going on a 7-0 run, finished off by Antoine Lorick III's layup, to grow the lead to 62-30 with 9:40 to go in the contest. The Cougars narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Tigers controlled the tempo and cruised the rest of the way for the 80-53 win. Tennessee State took care of business in the paint, recording 40 points inside, including 22 in the second half.

Game Notes
» Aaron Nkrumah notched an impressive double-double for the Tigers with 26 points and 11 rebounds.
» The Tigers shot well from three point range, knocking down eight of 19 long range attempts.
» Tennessee State never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
» Tennessee State had a 37-21 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Tennessee State defense forced 15 turnovers.
» Aaron Nkrumah led the Tigers with a game-high 26 points.
» Tennessee State got a game-high 11 rebounds from Aaron Nkrumah.