EDWARDSVILLE Ill.- SIUE men's basketball led wire to wire Saturday afternoon on its way to a 74-57 conference victory against Tennessee Tech at First Community Arena.
The Cougars have won four of their last five to improve to 12-9 overall and 5-3 in Ohio Valley Conference play. The Cougars remain dominant at home improving to 9-1 inside First Community Arena. Tennessee Tech dropped its third game in a row and fell to 7-14 this season and 2-6 in OVC play.
"We went out and set the tone right away. I am really happy with our performance this evening," SIUE Head Coach Brian Barone said. "I am glad the alums and the community could come see what I see every day."
SIUE was led by Shamar Wright and twin brother Lamar Wright who both turned in their first double doubles of the year. Shamar Wright contributed 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in 37 minutes of action. Lamar Wright scored 10 points on 5-of-12 shooting from the field and recorded 10 rebounds. It was the first time in their careers the Wright twins recorded double-doubles on the same day.
"He went out there and battled, he's not a big guy but he was battling, and he stepped up, that's what impressed me today," Shamar Wright said about Lamar.
The Cougars opened the game on a quick 10-2 run which was halted by a 30-second timeout taken by Tennessee Tech. SIUE grew the lead to 15 on a 2pt jump shot by Lamar Wright midway through the first half.
The Cougars biggest lead of the half came on an 11-0 run over five minutes which resulted in a 26 point lead at the halftime break.
"I am very proud that these guys want to play with one another, Barone said. "Our guys have really bought in with helping one another."
The second half featured the same dominance by SIUE as they grew the lead to game high 27 on a layup made by Desmond Polk with 6:48 left in the game. Tennessee Tech went on a 7-0 run to cut the deficit to 15 on a Josiah Davis Layup with 1:41 but couldn't get any closer.
SIUE shot 50 percent (32-64) from the field and 3 percent (7-20) from three point territory. The Cougars held Tennessee Tech to 39 percent (22-56) from the field and 32 percent (7-22) from the three point arc.
Ray'Sean Taylor led the Cougars in scoring with 18 points eight rebounds and dished out six assists. Taylor also went 4-9 from three-point range. Desmond Polk contributed 14 points going 6-8 from the field and 2-3 from three-point range.
"He has always impacted the game defensively and now he's putting work in on the offensive end," Lamar Wight said about Desmond Polk.
SIUE had five players who scored in double figures including Demarco Minor who had 12 points and three rebounds while adding four assists.
Tennessee Tech was led by Sophomore guard Josiah Davis. Davis recorded 18 points on 8-12 shooting and went 2-3 from the free throw line.
SIUE will take on Little Rock next Thursday at home.
"The preparation will be intense, we're going to be ready to roll, " Barone said. "They know the importance of every game."
