Robert Covington scored 16 points as Tennessee State won its seventh consecutive game, defeating Tennessee Tech 68-53 Saturday night.
The Tigers (17-10, 10-4 Ohio Valley Conference) were coming off a 72-68 win over ninth-ranked Murray State on Thursday night, but it wasn't until the second half that they pulled away from the Golden Eagles (16-12, 8-7), who beat them 92-86 on Jan. 5.
After leading 28-27 at halftime, Tennessee State shot 57.1 percent (12 of 21) in the final 20 minutes while holding Tennessee Tech to 33.3 percent (10 of 30). Leading 47-41 with 10:36 to play, the Tigers broke it open with an 11-0 run that included two baskets by Kellen Thornton, who finished with 12 points.
Jud Dillard had 14 points and 13 rebounds to lead Tennessee Tech, but Kevin Murphy, who came in averaging 21.5 points, ninth best in the nation, was held to eight.
