Published: January 29, 2007 11:41 pm      

Mountain State hammers Knoxville

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Mountain State University reached the 20-win mark once again. Knoxville is still looking for its first victory of the season.

Leading by 19 at halftime, the Cougars outscored the Bulldogs 52-29 in the second half en route to a 100-56 win Monday night.

Paul Wright, who formerly played at Knoxville, led MSU with a game-high 31 points. Ermin Tarcin posted a double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds. Adron Marshall added 13 points and Renardo “Slim” Dixon scored 10. Jarvis Jackson dished out 11 assists.

“We did well,” coach Bob Bolen said. “Paul Wright was playing against his old school and really shot the ball well. Ermin and Tyrice (Watkins) did a good job on the boards.

“It was a total team effort.”

Tony Fox came off the bench and hit two late threes as MSU posted 100 points for the second straight game and the sixth time this season.

The win improved MSU, ranked ninth in NAIA Division I, to 20-4. Knoxville, meanwhile, is 0-16.

“We are excited to get our 20th win,” Bolen said. “Now we’re looking forward to going to South Carolina for Thursday’s game.”

The Cougars are at Southern Wesleyan at 7 p.m. Thursday.