UT Martin downs Tennessee State 72-56

MARTIN, Tenn. (AP) Twymond Howard scored 19 points and UT Martin beat Tennessee State 72-56 on Thursday night to remain atop the Ohio Valley Conference's West Division.

Myles Taylor added 15 for the Skyhawks (18-12, 10-5), who scored 14 points off 12 turnovers by the Tigers in winning their eighth-straight game.

Up by one at halftime, UT Martin used a 15-6 run capped by Jacolby Mobley's 3-pointer, then led 55-41 after Alex Anderson hit a 3 while the Tigers made only two of 10 shots from the field.

The Skyhawks led by 18 on Twymond Howard's free throw with 3:40 left and stayed in control the rest of the way, shooting 48 percent from the field and shooting 9 for 22 from long distance.

Tahjere McCall scored 16 points for Tennessee State (19-9, 10-5), who entered the game 1.5 games out of first place in the OVC East ahead of a home matchup against leader Belmont in the regular season finale.