Georgia Southern cruises past Louisiana-Monroe 66-51

STATESBORO, Ga. (AP) Mike Hughes scored 13 of his 15 points in the first half as Georgia Southern built an 11-point halftime lead and cruised to a 66-51 victory on Saturday night.

Ike Smith had 14 points and Tookie Brown added 12 for Georgia Southern (6-10, 2-4 Sun Belt), which bounced back from a 74-65 loss at home to Louisiana-Lafayette on Jan 14.

Justin Roberson scored 20 points to lead Louisiana-Monroe (6-11, 2-4), which has lost four straight. Majok Deng chipped in 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Georgia Southern led 32-21 at halftime, and 43-31 at the 13-minute mark. Deng made a 3-pointer and Roberson scored five points to pull the Warhawks to 43-39 with 11 minutes remaining.

Smith and Boykins scored five points apiece as part of 13-3 surge to stretch Georgia Southern's lead to 56-42 with five minute left, and the Eagles had a double-digit lead the rest of the way.