ETSU 90, Tusculum 52

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Senior guard Rashawn Rembert scored a game-high 22 points and two other ETSU players posted double-double efforts, as the Buccaneers dropped non-conference opponent Tusculum College 90-52 Monday evening inside Freedom Hall

The Buccaneers, who improved to 11-6 on the year, enjoyed a 17-point effort from senior guard Jalen Riley, while junior forward Lester Wilson finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while sophomore guard Devin Harris finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds on the night.

The Bucs sprinted out of the gates, building a lead of 20 points at 34-14 with seven minutes left before the intermission. At that point, ETSU emptied its bench and started using its entire roster the rest of the half.

Tusculum took advantage of the Bucs’ approach to pull to within 13 at 42-29 by the intermission. Before the break, ETSU shot 50 percent from the floor and out-rebounded the Pioneers 22-19, holding Tusculum to a 31 percent shooting percentage.

After the break, Tusculum managed to keep the game within 14 points for the first four minutes of play, but a 15-3 spurt by the Bucs finally increased the cushion to 25 points at 65-40 and ETSU never looked back.

The Pioneers were led by Javon Price’s 14 points, while Chase Mounce pitched in 11 points.

Along with the production from Rembert, Riley, Harris and Wilson, the Bucs also got an 11-rebound and nine-point effort from sophomore guard A.J. Merriweather. Sophomore post Isaac Banks also had a productive day, hitting 4-of-6 shots from the floor to finish with eight points and six rebounds.

ETSU shot 49 percent from the floor, out-rebounded the Pioneers 50-34, and held Tusculum to just 27 percent shooting for the game.

The Bucs also enjoyed lop-sided advantages in points in the paint (40-20), points off turnovers (22-3), fast break points (27-2) and bench points (27-12).