Red-hot Evansville blows by Alabama State 88-56

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) D.J. Balentine scored 26 points and Evansville shot a blistering 68.6 percent in taking an 88-56 win over Alabama State on Tuesday night.

Balentine was 10 of 13 from the floor, including 4 of 5 from 3-point range, and he also had eight assists for the Purple Aces (6-1), who outscored the Hornets 52-18 in the paint.

Egidijus Mockevicius was 5 of 7 from the field and Adam Wing 6 of 6 as they both scored 12 points, and Jaylon Brown made his three field-goal attempts for 10 points. Evansville was only 13 of 22 on free throws for 59 percent.

Mockevicius grabbed 11 rebounds leading a 37-29 edge on the boards.

The Hornets (2-4) couldn't match the Aces' shooting, making 32.8 percent. Corvon Butler had 13 points.

Evansville scored the first 10 points and led by as many as 35 in the first half and 43 in the second.