Eastern Illinois Panthers

Mekowulu lifts Tennessee State past Eastern Illinois 50-47 (Jan 27, 2018)

Published Jan. 28, 2018 12:00 a.m. ET

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Christian Mekowulu scored a career-high 27 points and hauled in 10 rebounds to lift Tennessee State to a 50-47 win over Eastern Illinois on Saturday night.

In a tight game where neither team led by more than five points, Tennessee State (10-11, 5-5 Ohio Valley Conference) got a pair of free throws followed by a 3-point play from Mekowulu to edge back on top 49-45 with 47 seconds remaining.

Montell Goodwin sliced the deficit back to two on a jumper at the other end before Mekowulu dropped in another free throw with seven seconds left and Ray Crossland missed a potentially game-tying 3-pointer just ahead of the buzzer.

Mekowulu finished 8 of 14 from the field and missed just four of his 15 free throws to secure the season sweep over Eastern Illinois.

Eastern Illinois (7-14, 3-7) shot just 29 percent from the field. Mack Smith, who was just 3-of-12 shooting, scored 17 points and made all 11 of his free throws.

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