Tennessee State holds off SIU Edwardsville 63-60

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Tahjere McCall converted a 3-point play and Xavier Richards tipped in a missed shot, both in the final minute, and Tennessee State won its third straight to open Ohio Valley Conference play, beating Southern Illinois Edwardsville, 63-60 Saturday night.

Tennessee State led by two at intermission and extended the lead to as many as 12 points after Marcus Roper knocked down a 3-pointer midway through the second half to make it 52-39.

Burak Eslik hit a 3 to bring SIU Edwardsville within a point 55-54, but the Cougars could not grab the lead. The Cougars managed three free throws in the final minute, and Eslik nailed a 3-pointer to make it 61-60 with six seconds left. Tennessee State's Keron Deshields made two free throws to end it.

McCall scored 18 points to lead Tennessee State (12-4, 3-0).

Eslik finished with 23 points on 5-of-6 shooting from deep, and Carlos Anderson added 15 for SIU Edwardsville (3-13, 0-4).