Edwardsville shot the lights out Friday at Vergil Fletcher Gym, but Collinsville hung tough before falling 59-55.

Image by Roger Starkey

The Tigers (3-2 overall, 1-0 Southwestern Conference) shot 63.3 percent from the field, including 9 of 16 from 3-point range, and outrebounded the Kahoks 25-17, but also turned the ball over 16 times. Collinsville (3-3 overall, 0-1 SWC) connected on 47.7 percent from the floor and committed only six turnovers, but managed only 4 of 12 from the free throw line. Edwardsville went 12-14 from the charity stripe.

Playing in his first game of the season, sophomore guard Ronnie Midgett led all scorers with 18 points. Senior Brett Langley was the only other Kahok in double figures, scoring 12 points. Indiana State recruit Emondre Rickman scored six of his seven points in the fourth quarter to help keep Collinsville close.

A pair of sophomores led the Tigers. Mark Smith topped the team with 17 points, followed by Oliver Stephen with 15.  Stephen scored nine of his 15 in the final stanza.

The Kahoks travel to East St. Louis Tuesday for a 7:30 p.m. contest.

Collinsville line score: Gonet – 2 pts., 1 rb.; Wilkinson – 2 pts., 4 stls.; Langley – 12 pts., 3 stls.; Wethers – 5 pts., 2 rbs., 2 assts.; Rickman – 7 pts., 4 rbs., Davis – 7 pts., 2 rbs., 1 asst.; Buehne – 2 rbs., 1 asst.; Midgett – 18 pts., 2 rbs.; Flora – 1 rb., 1 asst.; Lyons – 2 pts., 1 rb.