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Box Score

NASHVILLE – Josiah Wallace scored a career high 32 points but it was not enough as Eastern Illinois could not overcome a first-half run by Tennessee State dropping the Ohio Valley Conference opener on the road 84-79.

EIU fell to 7-6 overall, 0-1 in the OVC.  TSU improved to 9-5 overall, 1-0 in the OVC.

EIU jumped out to a 13-6 lead hitting four 3-pointers with two each by JaQualis Matlock and Mack Smith. 

TSU responded with a 23-1 run to take control of the game.  Michael Littlejohn hit three 3-pointers during the run as he hit big shots all night for the Tigers. 

George Dixon was able to stop the run with 9:47 left in the half with TSU leading 29-16 at the time.  Dixon finished with his fifth double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

TSU led 40-26 at the half shooting 50 percent from the field and 43 percent from 3-point range.  TSU finished the night 13-of-26 from 3-point range while knocking down 21-of-22 from the foul line. 

In the second half Wallace hit a pair of free throws to cut the lead to 57-51 with 10:49 left in the game.

TSU quickly answered with a dunk and 3-pointer by Carlos Marshall that extended the lead back to double figures with 9:29 to play.

In the final six minutes, EIU again cut the lead to either six or seven points and each time TSU answered with a 3-pointer.  Littlejohn knocked down a pair while Wesley Harris added one.  Littlejohn had 18 points on the night, one of four TSU players in double figures.

Wallace hit a 3-pointer with six seconds left in the game to make it a one possession game at 82-79.  TSU then hit free throws to close the game.

Smith had 13 points for EIU while Marvin Johnson added 16.

Harris had a double-double for TSU with 17 points and 10 rebounds.