NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — Antoine Lorick scored 24 points and Aaron Nkrumah added 23 as Tennessee State pulled away in the second half to defeat Eastern Illinois 77-68 in an Ohio Valley Conference men’s basketball game Thursday at Howard Gentry Complex.

The Tigers, who led 33-30 at halftime, used a 44-point second half to secure the win. The Panthers were led by Meechie White and Kooper Jacobi, who each scored 15 points.

Tennessee State capitalized on Eastern Illinois mistakes, scoring 19 points off 16 Panthers turnovers. The Tigers also outscored the Panthers 21-10 from the free throw line. Dante Harris facilitated the offense with 10 assists for Tennessee State, which improved to 15-8. Eastern Illinois fell to 9-15.