November 25, 2011

Golden Eagles host Lamar, head coach Pat Knight on Friday

On the heels of an energizing 62-57 overtime victory at High Point Tuesday, Tennessee Tech returns home for a holiday weekend homestand beginning Friday.

Tip-off set for 7 p.m.

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – On the heels of an energizing 62-57 overtime victory at High Point Tuesday, Tennessee Tech returns home for a holiday weekend homestand beginning Friday.

The Golden Eagles welcome head coach Pat Knight and Southland Conference preseason favorite Lamar into Eblen Center on Friday before wrapping things up by hosting Wilberforce on Sunday.

The game against Lamar is another quality non-conference matchup for Tech, featuring two squads picked near the top of their leagues. The Cardinals were predicted to win their division in the Southland Conference by several preseason publications including The Sporting News.

The meeting will be the first-ever between the two schools.

In Tech’s last time out, the Golden Eagles overcame an eight-point halftime deficit to rally past High Point. Jud Dillard notched a double-double for the second consecutive game, scoring 18 points, 16 of which came after halftime, to go with 15 rebounds. Kevin Murphy, who was 0-for-5 from the field in the first half, was also big down the stretch, finishing with 16 points and eight rebounds.

After four games, Murphy is the Golden Eagles’ leading scorer, averaging 17.5 points per game. Two other Tech players – Jud Dillard (16.3 ppg) and Zac Swansey (11.3 ppg) – are also averaging double-figures. Dillard leads Tech in rebounding with 9.3 boards per contest.

Four Lamar players are scoring in double-figures, led by Charlie Harper, who averages 14.0 points per game. Harper also leads the Cardinals in rebounding, pulling down 9.8 boards per contest. Anthony Miles (13.6 ppg), Devon Lamb (11.4) and Mike James (10.0) are also big producers for Lamar.

Lamar is coming off back-to-back victories at home against Charlotte and on the road at UT Martin. The Cardinals blitzed Charlotte 72-54 on Nov. 19 then defeated the Skyhawks 80-69 on Nov. 22. Lamar opened the season with a home win over Arkansas State, then dropped consecutive games on the road against Louisville and Ohio.

Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. Friday. Tickets are on sale at the Eblen Center box office or by calling (931) 372-3940.