Golden Eagles tame TSU Tigers, 61-56, behind Murphy and Jones
Kevin Murphy scored 18 points and Alfred Jones added 11 points and seven rebounds as the Golden Eagles withstood a late rally by Tennessee State and tamed the Tigers, 61-56, Saturday night in Eblen Center.
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Sophomore Kevin Murphy led Tennessee
Tech with 18 points, but it was his no-look pass to Alfred Jones
for a layup with 33 seconds remaining that may have sealed the win
as the Golden Eagles claimed 61-56 Ohio Valley Conference victory
over Tennessee State Saturday night in the Eblen Center.
Nursing a three-point lead and trying to fend off a furious TSU
comeback bid, Murphy fed Jones under the basket and Tech’s
lead jumped to 59-54, enough for Tech’s third win in the last
four games.
The Golden Eagles improved to 10-10 overall and 4-5 within the
OVC, while TSU saw its mark drop to 4-17 overall and 1-8 in
conference games.
Murphy finished with 18 points, five rebounds and three assists.
Jones had 11 points and seven rebounds while freshman Jud Dillard
notched 11 points and added four boards.
Jacquan Nobles topped the Tigers with 16 points and Will Peters
added 12 points and three assists. Robert Covington had nine points
and a game-high 11 rebounds, Josh Sain scored nine and Darius Cox
contributed seven points and six rebounds.
The Golden Eagles held a commanding edge inside, outscoring TSU
32-14 in the paint.
The Tigers looked ready to take a bite out of Tech early in the
game, breaking away to a seven point lead. When Peters hit two free
throws with 15:13 to go in the opening period, TSU was on top
11-4.
Frank Davis and Murphy drained back-to-back 3-pointers to cut the
TSU lead to one, and Dillard followed with a dunk to put the Golden
Eagles ahead. The lead swapped benches several times before the
Tigers surged back in front by seven, 26-19, with 3:07 left after
Nobles hit a trey.
Tech closed the half with a 7-1 run to head to the break trailing
by a single digit, 27-26.
The Golden Eagles gained momentum in the second half and moved
ahead by as many as 11 points midway through the period. A layup by
Jones with 7:43 remaining made it 50-39.
That’s when Tennessee State started to rally, going on a
12-0 run capped by a layup by Covington with 3:05 to play the
pushed the Tigers to a 51-50 lead.
Murphy scored a 3-pointer 20 seconds later and Tech had regained
the lead for good. A jumper by Murphy made it 55-52. Jones hit a
layup for Tech and Cox answered with a layup at the other end to
make it a 57-54 lead, setting the stage for Murphy’s pass
through traffic for Jones’ layup and the five-point edge.
Tech will entertain Eastern Illinois on Thursday (Jan. 28) in its
next action, and OVC doubleheader in Eblen Center beginning with
the women’s game at 5:30 p.m.
The Putnam Country Health Dept. will be giving free H1N1 shots to
any fan who needs the vaccine, and each person being vaccinated
will also receive a free ticket to the game on either Thursday or
Saturday vs. Southeast Missouri.
For tickets or more information, visit or call the Athletics
Ticket Office in Eblen Center at (931) 372-3940.
