Muntu’s Career-High 22 points lead Tech to 101-69 win over Bethel (Tenn.)
Tennessee Tech men’s basketball, led by a career-high 22 points from Brandon Muntu, rolls past Bethel (Tenn.) 101-69 on Saturday at Eblen Center.
| Final | 1 | 2 | T |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
27 | 42 | 69 |
|
|
51 | 50 | 101 |
Team Stats
Bethel (Tenn.)
| Game Statistics | Bethel (Tenn.) | Tennessee Tech |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goals | (29-72) | (33-60) |
| Field Goal % | 40.3% | 55.0% |
| Rebounds | 35 | 41 |
| Assists | 13 | 19 |
| Turnovers | 18 | 17 |
| Pts off Turnovers | 21 | 15 |
| 2nd Chance Pts | 12 | 7 |
| Pts in the Paint | 36 | 46 |
| Fastbreak Pts | 19 | 31 |
| Bench Pts | 45 | 42 |
By Jeff Bowe, TTU Athletics Media Relations
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech men's basketball, led by a career-high 22 points from Brandon Muntu, rolls past Bethel (Tenn.) 101-69 on Saturday at Eblen Center.
Brandon Muntu made six of the Golden Eagles' 10 three-pointers to lead the team to a 32-point victory, closing non-conference play in style. Tech improves to 5-6 overall and records 100-plus points for the second time this season, after shooting 55.0 percent as a team from the field in the 101-69 win over Bethel.
Muntu made 6-of-8 from three and 8-of-10 overall from the field to lead the Golden Eagles with 22 points, marking a new career high and surpassing his previous best of 18 points (2x). He made six of the team's 10 three-pointers on 23 attempts from distance in the game. Muntu led the team in scoring for the second time this season, posting his fifth game in double digits.
The Golden Eagles came out hot from the field, shooting 55.2 percent from the field with 16-of-29 scoring to put up 51 first-half points and hold the lead 51-27 at the halftime break. Muntu scored 11 of his 22 points in the first 20 minutes of play, marking one of two Golden Eagles in double-digits at the half.
Dani Pounds made 4-of-5 from the field and 5-of-6 from the line to lead the team with 13 points at halftime. Pounds finished with 15 points on 5-of-9 from the field and 5-of-6 from the free-throw line.
10 of 12 players who saw minutes in the first half recorded at least two points as the distribution of scoring went throughout the lineup. The defense tightened its grip in the first 20 minutes to help gain a lead, only allowing 12 made shots from the field and grabbing 17 defensive rebounds for a total of 21 boards in the first 20 minutes.
The Golden Eagles did not relinquish the lead in the second half, using 11 more points from Muntu on 4-of-5 from the field (3-4 3FG) and 54.8 percent shooting overall, with key contributions from C.J. McPherson, nine second-half points, Mekhi Turner and Ja'Quavian Florence with seven second-half points to lead the team to the win.
Tech finished with four players in double figures, with McPherson (12 pts) and Florence (12 pts) each working into double digits, and Turner and JaJuan Nicholls knocking on the door with nine points apiece, leading a balanced attack on the afternoon.
The bench chipped in with 42 of the 101 points by the Golden Eagles, helping secure the victory. Tech took advantage of an aggressive attacking style offense, scoring 31 points on the fastbreak, and used its size to its advantage with 46 points in the paint. TTU forced 18 turnovers and scored 15 points.
TTU's largest lead was 39 points with 10:07 left in the game (81-42), its largest run was 9-0, and it held the lead for pretty much the entirety of the game (37:37). Bethel never led as the game was tied twice early in the contest.
Tech's defense held Bethel to just two players in double figures, with Alo Rhodes and Joe Wimberly managing 10 points.
NEXT UP
The Golden Eagles close non-conference play with back-to-back dominant wins as they open OVC action on Thursday, Dec. 18, against SEMO. Opening tip is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT. Watch on ESPN+ and listen on 106.1 The Eagle.
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Tickets for Tennessee Tech Men's Basketball are on sale now – call (931) 372-3940, visit the Hooper Eblen Center ticket office, or order online at TTUsports.com.
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