EKU ends Tech's win streak at four games
The Tennessee Tech men’s basketball team had their four-game win streak come to an end Thursday night when they visited Eastern Kentucky, and left with a 76-58 loss in Ohio Valley Conference action.
RICHMOND, Ky. – The Tennessee Tech men’s basketball
team had their four-game win streak come to an end Thursday night
when they visited Eastern Kentucky, and left with a 76-58 loss in
Ohio Valley Conference action.
The Colonels broke the game open at the close of the first half
with a 7-0 run that gave them a 39-23 halftime lead. EKU was hot
from behind the 3-point line, hitting 13-of-27 3-point attempts in
the game, and also controlled the glass, out-rebounding Tech
32-26.
“I was disappointed in how physical they were and how we
responded to that,” TTU head coach Mike Sutton said. “I
think that’s telling in the rebounding statistics. We know
they’re going to shoot 3-pointers. They’re averaging 10
per game, and they’re going to get their shots.”
Tech was led in scoring by Kevin Murphy, who finished with 16
points, scoring in double figures for the 16th consecutive contest.
Murphy also led Tech with 7 rebounds. Elijah Muhammad had 14
points, five rebounds and three assists for the Golden Eagles.
The loss is the first for the Golden Eagles since falling at Murray
State on Jan. 16. Tech is now 12-11 on the season and 6-6 in the
OVC. Eastern Kentucky improves to 16-8 on the season and 8-4 in the
league. EKU improves to 12-1 at home this season.
The Golden Eagles were plagued by turnovers, giving the ball up 13
times, which led to 19 EKU points. The Colonels also got 30 points
off three pointers and 22 points in the paint.
EKU’s lead ballooned to 28 points when the Colonels opened
the second half on a 14-2 run. Tech chipped away to get the final
difference down to 18 points.
The Colonels got a huge spark from Josh Daniel, who scored a career
high 17 points. Daniel, who was averaging 5.7 points per game
entering the contest, shot 4-of-6 from long distance. EKU also got
19 points from Papa Oppong. The win gives the Colonels a season
sweep of Tech, as EKU won in Cookeville on Jan. 9.
Jud Dillard added nine points for the Golden Eagles, Frank Davis
added five, Byron Pickens finished with four and Alfred Jones and
Charles Newton each had two.
The Golden Eagles will be back in action Saturday night when the
travel to take on Morehead State. Tip-off of that game will be 7
p.m. Central. Tech will visit Austin Peay on Feb. 9 before
returning home for a pair of games against Murray State on Feb. 11
and UT Martin on Feb. 13.
For ticket information contact the Golden Eagle athletics ticket
office at (931) 372-3940 or visit TTUsports.com.
