LEXINGTON, Va. -- T.J. Cromer scored 24 points, including a 3-pointer that gave East Tennessee State its first lead of the game in the second half, during an 81-71 come-from-behind win over VMI on Thursday night.

Desonta Bradford added 16 points for ETSU (18-5, 8-2 Southern Conference), A.J. Merriweather added 13 and Tevin Glass 10 as the Buccaneers scored 54 points after halftime and held onto a share of first place in the SoCon.

With consecutive 3-pointers from Trey Chapman and Julian Eleby to kick things off, VMI (5-16, 2-8) shot out to an 8-0 lead and was up 34-27 at halftime. The Keydets held the lead for three minutes of the second half before ETSU launched a 13-3 run. Two shot blocks by Hanner Mosquera-Perea led to a free throw and another Cromer 3-pointer as the Bucs opened up the lead in the last six minutes.

QJ Peterson led VMI with 22 points with Eleby and Armani Branch adding 11 each.