Hot-shooting Eastern Kentucky rolls past Tennessee St 97-81

Feb 4, 2016, 10:37 pm

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- JaVontae Hawkins scored 36 points -- two off his career high -- and Eastern Kentucky shot 64 percent from the field and rolled to a 97-81 victory over Tennessee State on Thursday night.

Hawkins had six 3-pointers, was 11 of 15 from the field and made all eight free-throw attempts. Nick Mayo added 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Colonels (13-12, 4-6 Ohio Valley), who snapped a three-game skid. Jarelle Reischel had 11 points and Ja'Mill Powell chipped in 10.

Keron Deshields had 21 points to lead Tennessee State (15-7, 6-3).

Hawkins made five straight 3-pointers to give the Colonels a 47-25 lead with four minutes left before the break, and they led the rest of the way.

Eastern Kentucky led 79-66 midway through the second half. Tahjere McCall converted a 3-point play, sparking an 11-2 surge to pull the Tigers to 81-77. Hawkins scored six of the Colonels' next 10 points to push the lead to 91-79 with 2:19 left.