February 9, 2012

Few reserved seat tickets remain for Tech doubleheader vs. Murray State, Feb. 25

Tickets are still available for Tennessee Tech’s doubleheader against Murray State on Saturday, Feb. 25, but less than 30 reserved seat tickets in the Eblen Center lower bowl remain. Upper bowl seats are now on sale.

Tech fans encouraged to wear purple to remaining home games

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tickets are still available for Tennessee Tech’s basketball doubleheader against Murray State on Saturday, Feb. 25, but less than 30 reserved seat tickets in the Eblen Center lower bowl remain. Meanwhile, upper bowl seats are now on sale at the regular price of $12 each.

While Tech still hosts three Ohio Valley Conference games before Murray visits – two women’s games and one men’s contest – TTU Athletics officials are anticipating one of the largest crowds in recent years for the final night of the regular season and are making advance plans to accommodate everyone.

“We are encouraging fans to secure their tickets for that night in advance to ensure they are able to get seats,” said Mark Wilson, TTU Director of Athletics. “Fans should call or visit the Athletics Ticket Office in Eblen Center, or can order tickets online.”

The women’s game is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. with the men’s contest slated for 7:30 p.m. The night is Basketball Alumni Night, with many former players invited back for festivities.

As the final home game of the regular season, the games will also serve as Senior Night for each team. The Golden Eagle women’s team will salute seniors Brittany Darling, Rachel Glidden, Krystal Stirrup and Tacarra Hayes. The men’s team will say farewell to seniors Zach Bailey, Riley Hunley, Bassey Inameti, Liam McMorrow, Kevin Murphy and Zac Swansey.

The Murray State men’s team is currently 23-1 and was the only undefeated Division I men’s team in the nation before suffering a loss Thursday to Tennessee State. Games featuring the Racers have been attracting sellout crowds in Murray and at several OVC games on the road.

“Both of our Golden Eagle teams have extremely important games on the schedule prior to the Murray State doubleheader, and we hope fans will support both teams at home and on the road over the final weeks of the season,” Wilson said. “We’re preparing in the ticket office for the Murray State games because the demand for tickets has been so great, but we know the focus of our teams is fixed sharply on the next game only.”

The next game for both teams is Saturday at Tennessee State, the final conference road games of the season for each squad.

Tech will host Eastern Illinois on Monday night in women’s OVC action, with the Panthers entering this weekend unbeaten in conference play at 11-0. Coach Sytia Messer’s team also hosts Eastern Kentucky on Saturday, Feb. 18.

The Golden Eagle men’s team hosts a game against Eastern Kentucky on Wednesday night, then coach Steve Payne’s squad plays at Coastal Carolina on Feb. 18 in a Sears Bracket Buster game.

“We’re encouraging our fans to wear purple and show their Purple Pride for each and every game,” Wilson said. “We’d love for our players to come out of the locker room to a large crowd awash in purple and cheering for the Golden Eagles.”

The atmosphere in Eblen Center can be a huge home court advantage, Wilson added.

“We’re appealing to our students, to the community and to everyone who loves Tennessee Tech basketball to make plans to support these two teams down the stretch,” he said. “An high-energy, charged atmosphere in Eblen Center and our fans can be our ‘sixth man’ heading into the OVC Tournament.”

For ticket information to all the remaining home games, including the Murray State doubleheader, or for the OVC Tournament in Nashville, visit or call the Athletics Ticket Office in Eblen Center at (931) 372-3940. Tickets may also be purchased online at TTUsports.com.