TTU defense shuts down Morehead State as Golden Eagles set Eblen Center record, 63-40
The Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles set an Eblen Center record Saturday on White County Night as the defense held Morehead State to just 40 points and improved their record to 3-0 in OVC play and 7-0 at home this season.
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles set an
Eblen Center record Saturday on White County Night as the defense
held Morehead State to just 40 points and improved their record to
3-0 in OVC play and 7-0 at home this season.
The 40 points was also the fewest points allowed against an OVC
opponent since the league was formed in 1948, and the fewest points
allowed against any opponent in 46 years. It was the fewest
given up since a 37-36 loss against Mississippi during teh 1959-60
season.
Derek Stribling led Tech with 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting from
the floor, while Keyon Boyd added 15 points, as he shot 4-of-5 from
three-point
TTU (8-6) held MSU to just 17 second half points, as MSU went
scoreless for the first 10 minutes of the second half. The
Eagles' first point of the second half came on a free-throw by Chad
McKnight with 10:05 remaining in the game.
"We worked hard all week on our defense," said Boyd. "Every
game we play is crucial, and we must play hard defense to win
games."
Tech played hard-nosed defense all night, as it held its opponent to just seven field goals in the second half for the second straight game. Morehead shot just 28 percent from the floor in the second half, and finished at just over 31 percent for the game. Tech also had seven blocks in the contest, as Jonathan Jones had a game-high three blocks, while Willie Jenkins added two.
"We were really pleased with our defense tonight," said head coach Mike Sutton. "We had a big stretch in the second half where we played great as a unit, and it allowed us to take the game over."
TTU took control of the game to start the second half, outscoring the Eagles 13-0 in the first ten minutes of action. Boyd had six points in the run, and Jenkins hit a shot with 11:13 remaining in the game, the Golden Eagles had opened their advantage to 23 points at 46-23.
"Several guys played well tonight for us," said Sutton. "Jonathan Jones brought great energy on the defensive end, and did a great job on the boards. Derek Stribling played well, and was very aggressive. Keyon Boyd was one of the few guys whose shot was consistently falling for us tonight."
Tech shot nearly 47 percent from the floor. The Golden Eagles also showed why they were the top rebounding team in the OVC with their aggressiveness on the boards, both offensively and defensively. They outrebounded the Eagles 41-25, as Jenkins had a game-high nine rebounds while Jones added eight boards and Stribling seven.
Tech also had 16 assists in the contest, as Boyd had a team-high five helpers while MSU had just nine as a team.
TTU will now face Eastern Kentucky, a team that hasn't come to Eblen Center in two years. The game will also be Jackson County Night, as all residents of Jackson County can gain admission into the TTU basketball doubleheader with a $1 voucher.
"We had great crowd support tonight," said Sutton. "We hope it carries over into Saturday, because EKU has a great team. It'll be great to see a whole throng of Jackson County residents here to cheer on Golden Eagle basketball. We're definitely looking forward to the match-up."
The Golden Eagles and Colonels will tip-off at approximately 7:30 p.m., while the Golden Eaglettes will begin at 5:30 p.m.
