Published: February 10, 2007 11:56 pm      

No. 4 Cougars breeze by Allen

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Mountain State University jumped to a 20-point lead and coasted to an 85-64 win Saturday over Allen University.

The NAIA Division I No. 4 Cougars (22-4) went up 25-5 in the first seven minutes of the game. They led 48-27 at halftime.

“The first seven minutes we played great defense and got a lot of transition baskets,” coach Bob Bolen said.

Ralph Legg led the way with 19 points. Paul Wright had 18, while Adron Marshall and Renardo Dixon scored 10 apiece. Yusuf Baker scored seven points and grabbed 10 rebounds, and Jarvis Jackson dished out 11 assists.

Byron Littlejohn and Darren Goodwin led Allen with 15 points each. John Doctor added 12.

The win, MSU’s seventh in a row, followed Tuesday’s 76-72 road win over No. 10 Lindsey Wilson. Allen, meanwhile, had won its last two going into Saturday.

“Any time you get a road win, it’s a good feeling,” Bolen said. “Allen ... was playing with a lot of confidence. It was important for us to get off to a great start.”

MSU will travel to Southern Wesleyan Tuesday for a makeup game. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.

The Cougars’ scheduled game with Temple Baptist on Monday has been canceled.