January 6, 2010

Golden Eagles and Morehead State set to do battle in Eblen Center

For the first time this season the Tennessee Tech men’s basketball team will host an Ohio Valley Conference opponent. But it will be no easy task for the Golden Eagles, as the league's preseason favorite Morehead State Eagles will visit Eblen Center Thursday night in the second half of a double-header, with tipoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – For the first time this season the Tennessee Tech men’s basketball team will host an Ohio Valley Conference opponent. But it will be no easy task for the Golden Eagles, as the league's preseason favorite Morehead State Eagles will visit Eblen Center Thursday night in the second half of a double-header, with tipoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

The game will feature the OVC’s reigning co-Players of the Week. Tech’s Frank Davis and Morehead State's Kenneth Faried shared the honor on Monday after Davis averaged 21.5 points and shot 62.5 percent in two Tech wins last week, and Faried averaged 13.5 points and 17 rebounds for Morehead State. Davis is currently in the top ten in the nation in 3-point percentage, hitting 51.2 percent of his outside shots, while Faried is in the top ten in rebounding, collecting 12.4 boards per game.

On paper, it appears the teams are in for a shootout Thursday night, as Tech and MSU are No. 1 and No. 2 in the OVC in scoring offense. The Golden Eagles are averaging 77.9 points per game, while Morehead State is averaging 79.2. TTU and MSU are also No. 1 and No. 2 in the league in offensive rebounds as MSU averages 14.5 per game and Tech has grabbed 13.9 per contest.

The Golden Eagles are 7-7 overall heading into the game, with a 1-2 mark in OVC play. Tech is the only OVC team to have not played a league game at home this season. Morehead State comes in at 8-6 overall and 3-1 in the OVC.

Just one game after the Golden Eagles had their four-game win streak snapped on the road at Eastern Illinois in an overtime thriller, Morehead State brings its league-high four-game streak to Cookeville. Tech and Morehead State have met 128 times on the hardwood, and Morehead State owns a 67-61 all-time advantage in the series. MSU has won three straight against Tech overall. The games will be televised on tape delay locally on WCTE-TV.

The Tennessee Tech and Morehead State women will kick off the action Thursday night to start the double-header. The women’s action will begin at 5:30 p.m. Both teams will be at home two days later when they continue OVC play against Eastern Kentucky on Jan. 9. That double-header will tipoff with the women’s game at 5:30 p.m.

All season ticket holders can receive an additional four tickets to Tech’s game against Morehead State as a holiday bonus from the Tennessee Tech athletic department. To claim bonus tickets, or to purchase tickets, visit the Golden Eagle athletics ticket office located in Eblen Center. Tickets can also be purchased over the phone by calling (931) 372-3940 or by visiting TTUsports.com.