EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. — In an impressive showcase on Saturday night, Brian Taylor II led the way with 22 points, helping SIU-Edwardsville secure an 84-72 triumph over Tennessee State.
Alongside Taylor’s performance, the Cougars, now holding a record of 18-9 and 11-5 in the Ohio Valley Conference, saw Ray’Sean Taylor contribute significantly with 15 points. He demonstrated his shooting prowess by making 4 of 10 attempts, including 3 of 5 from beyond the arc. Additionally, Ray’Sean Taylor showcased versatility with eight assists and four steals. Another notable scorer for the Cougars was Ring Malith, who added 13 points to the team’s total, hitting 6 of 8 from the free-throw line despite a shooting struggle from the field (3 for 12, including 1 for 6 from three-point range).
On the opposing side, Tennessee State’s Justus Jackson stood out with 15 points and five assists, leading the Tigers, who now have a 13-14 record and are 9-7 in conference play. Aaron Nkrumah further bolstered the team’s effort by contributing 14 points, seven rebounds, and two steals. Knute Wood rounded out the scoring with 12 points and four assists, contributing to a commendable team effort.
Looking ahead, SIU-Edwardsville’s next matchup is scheduled for Thursday against Morehead State, where they will be competing on the road. Meanwhile, Tennessee State is set to face UT Martin on Tuesday in their upcoming game.
