First Night of OVC Play

SIUE Makes History

(St. Louis, MO) – Southern Illinois Edwardsville had never beaten Belmont. Last night that changed. SIUE went to Nashville and defeated the Bruins 79-69. In the first Ohio Valley Conference game for head coaches Brian Barone (SIUE) and Casey Alexander (Belmont) the Cougars (4-10, 1-0) earned a rare road win.

SIUE 79 – Belmont 69

Five Cougars reached double figures in scoring and Cameron Williams (Hazelwood Central) recorded a double-double as SIUE pulled off the upset of the season. The Cougars were more than a 20-point underdog. Belmont was 8-1 in home OVC games and 13-1 overall last season. Zeke Moore led the Cougars with 17 points. Nick Muszynski (15 points) led five Bruins who also reached double figures.

Jacksonville State 76 – Morehead State 72

Jacksonville State was last night’s other road winner. Martin Roub made six three-pointers on the way to 21 points as the Gamecocks (6-8, 1-0) continued their superb road work. Last season JSU was 7-2 during OVC road games. Tyzhaun Claude led the Eagles (6-8, 0-1) with 19 points.

Tennessee State 84 – Eastern Illinois 79

Michael Littlejohn converted six of eight three-point attempts and scored 18 points as Tennessee State (9-5, 1-0) knocked off Eastern Illinois (7-6, 0-1). TSU roared to a 14-point, first half lead and held on for the win. Josiah Wallace scored 32 points in defeat and George Dixon recorded a double-double (11 points – ten rebounds).

Eastern Kentucky 74 – Tennessee Tech 59

Five different Eastern Kentucky players made three-pointers and the Colonels (4-10, 1-0) won the battle of three-win teams. EKU made 50% of their shots, led by Tre King’s 15 points. Jacquess Hobbs handed out eight assists. It was Tech head coach John Pelphrey’s first OVC game. Darius Allen led the Golden Eagles with 16 points.

Austin Peay 78 – Southeast Missouri 63

Preseason ‘Player of the Year’ and OVC leading scorer Terry Taylor scored 23 point and grabbed 11 rebounds as Austin Peay (7-7, 1-0) defeated Southeast Missouri. Freshman Jordyn Adams added 22 points for the winners. SEMO won only one OVC road game last season. Alex Caldwell led the Redhawks (4-10, 0-1) with 12 points.

Murray State 89 – UT Martin 76

Anthony Smith earned a double-double (17 points, 12 rebounds) and Tevin Brown scored 23 points as Austin Peay defeated UT Martin. Skyhawk guard Parker Stewart scored 33 points in defeat. MSU made 10 of 15 shots from long distance and out rebounded UTM (4-8, 0-1) 43-31.