Box Score (PDF)

RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky led by as many as five points in the first half, but allowed Tennessee State to string together a big run at the end of the first and the beginning of the second half, in a 73-60 loss on Saturday at McBrayer Arena.

With the game tied 19-19, Nick Mayo hit a jumper and then nailed a three-pointer to give EKU a five-point advantage, 24-19, with 6:35 remaining in the first half.  However, Tennessee State ended the first half on a 13-4 run.  The Tigers then started the second half by stretching the run to 25-8.  When Armani Chaney put in a lay-up with 15:22 left in the game to cap the run, TSU had a 12-point lead, 44-32.
 
Mayo tried to bring the Colonels back.  He scored seven points during a 9-2 run to make it a five-point game, 46-41, with 12:24 left to play.  The junior hit a baseline jumper, a three-pointer from the right wing and a jumper in the paint to key the spurt.
 
Eastern (8-17, 2-10 OVC) never got any closer the rest of the way.
 
Mayo finished with a game-best 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the field to go along with six rebounds, three steals and a block.  Zach Charles made 6-of-8 from the floor, including both three-point attempts, and 3-of-4 from the stripe to finish with a season-high 17 points.
 
Delano Spencer led Tennessee State with 20 points.  Christian Mekowulu contributed 19 points.  Darreon Reddick had 11 points and 10 rebounds.
 
The Tigers (12-11, 7-5 OVC) hit on 50 percent of their shots while the Colonels connected on 42 percent.  TSU held a 36-25 rebounding advantage.
 
Eastern Kentucky continues its four-game home stand on Thursday against Tennessee-Martin.  The game is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.