January 11, 2011

Conference play comes to Cookeville; Men’s basketball tips off against UTM

With students back in the stands and a recent win under their belts, the Tennessee Tech men’s basketball team will host the Skyhawks of UT Martin to the Hoop on Thursday for the first OVC match-up in Cookeville of the new year. Tip off is set for 7:30 p.m.

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- With students back in the stands and a recent win under their belts, the Tennessee Tech men’s basketball team will host the Skyhawks of UT Martin to the Hoop on Thursday for the first OVC match-up in Cookeville of the new year.

Tip off is set for 7:30 p.m., as the game is the second of a doubleheader event with the women’s team, who will tip at 5:30 p.m.

The Golden Eagles are looking to build on their recent 78-66 victory over Eastern Kentucky, fueled by 15 points from both Jud Dillard and Zach Bailey, and a double-double from starting point guard Zac Swansey. The win put Tech at 3-2 in the OVC, 7-7 overall.

UT Martin, on the other hard, will be looking for their first conference win of the season, that which will snap a six-game loss streak in OVC play. On Monday, the Skyhawks shouldered a 10-point loss to top ranked Austin Peay at home, which was prefaced by a hard-fought 67-64 defeat coming at the hands of TSU last Saturday.

“We’re going into this game to do our jobs to the best of our ability, and to represent our team, school and basketball program as best we can,” said associate head coach Steve Payne, who will direct the team Thursday evening in place of an ill Mike Sutton.

“None of these OVC games are going to be easy this time of year, and we’ve got to be ready to play at all of them,” Payne continued.

Thursday night is also Jackson County night, during which residents of Jackson County will be able to purchase tickets to the game for just $1 by showing their ID or driver’s license at the TTU ticket office. Additionally, Tech will host Vision Basketball Night on Thursday, which invites all youth basketball players to receive free admission simply by wearing their game shirts.

Fans who can’t make it to Eblen Center for Thursday night’s games can follow the Live Stats here, or listen to Roger Ealey call the action on the Golden Eagle Sports Network or on free Teamline at 1-800-846-4700 (Tech code 0654). Tickets for the game are available by calling the ticket office at (931) 372-3940 or online at TTUsports.com.