UTM ended its five-game Ohio Valley Conference men's basketball losing streak with a 78-69 victory of Tennessee State Thursday night in the Gentry Center.

Junior college transfer Jared Newson scored 24 points and hit nine-of-16 field goal attempts for the Skyhawks. Junior Jeremy Kelly tossed in 21 points by connecting on seven-of-12 attempts from the field.

The Skyhawks trailed only once at 1-0, and led by as many as 13 points with 12:42 to play in the game. Newson and Kelly were responsible for the Skyhawks first 11 points of the game. Kelly drained two three-pointers, while Newson hit a three and threw down a thunderous dunk.

Newson netted 13 first-half points, while Kelly tallied a dozen points in the first 20 minutes. The Skyhawks led at the break 34-26.

Tennessee State rallied late in the game and cut the lead to three points, 70-67 with 49 seconds to play. The Skyhawks sealed the win with an 8-2 run in the final 40 seconds.

The Skyhawks hit four free throws and Newson and Kelly added their final points of the night with a dunk and a layup, respectively.

Sophomore Aaron Ferrell, from Fulton, Ky., only scored nine points and grabbed three rebounds for the Skyhawks, but he made the difference down the stretch, said Skyhawk head coach Bret Campbell.

"He responded tonight. It's tough sitting on the bench every night waiting to be called on, but Aaron stepped up to the challenge and responded," Campbell said.

Ferrell played 11 minutes and hit seven-of-10 free throws. As a team the

Skyhawks hit 19-of-27 free throws, while TSU hit 10-of-17 attempts from the line.

Roshaun Bowens led the Tigers with 25 points and nine rebounds.. "He was a hand full," Campbell said. "We didn't have many answers for him."

Freshman guard Bruce Price was the only other Tiger in double-digits with 12 points.

With the win the Skyhawks improve to 6-12 overall and 1-5 in the OVC. Tennessee State falls to 4-12 overall and 3-2 in the conference race.