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Tenn.-Martin 100, Tennessee St. 73

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Lester Hudson scored 23 of his 34 points in the second half and Tennessee-Martin defeated Tennessee State 100-73 on Saturday night, spoiling the debut of Tigers interim coach Mark Pittman.

Olajide Hay added 21 points and Reuben Clayton had 20 for the Skyhawks (16-6, 9-3 Ohio Valley Conference), whose eight-game winning streak began with a 78-65 win over Tennessee State on Jan. 10.

The Tigers (6-17, 4-9), who fired coach Cy Alexander on Friday, have lost five straight games and eight of their last nine. Alexander was 67-107 in six seasons with Tennesssee State.

Tennessee-Martin led 39-35 at halftime, then blew the game open with a 27-9 second-half spurt to lead 89-61 with 4:27 left.

The point total was the Skyhawks' highest since a 121-56 season-opening win over Maryville of Missouri.

Jeremiah Crutcher led the Tigers with 18 points.