Tech Hoops Hosts Western Illinois Thursday, Seeking to Extend Winning Streak
Tennessee Tech men’s basketball hosts Western Illinois, riding a two-game winning streak and looking to climb into the OVC Tournament picture with a pivotal pair of matchups this weekend. Opening tip is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT on Thursday. Watch live on ESPN+ and listen on 106.1 The Eagle.
| Final | 1 | 2 | T |
|---|---|---|---|
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30 | 42 | 72 |
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53 | 44 | 97 |
Team Stats
Western Illinois
| Game Statistics | Western Illinois | Tennessee Tech |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goals | (25-54) | (34-57) |
| Field Goal % | 46.3% | 59.6% |
| Rebounds | 21 | 34 |
| Assists | 11 | 22 |
| Turnovers | 10 | 8 |
| Pts off Turnovers | 6 | 15 |
| 2nd Chance Pts | 11 | 13 |
| Pts in the Paint | 30 | 30 |
| Fastbreak Pts | 3 | 3 |
| Bench Pts | 46 | 47 |
By Jeff Bowe, TTU Athletics Media Relations
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech men's basketball hosts Western Illinois, riding a two-game winning streak and looking to climb into the OVC Tournament picture with a pivotal pair of matchups this weekend. Opening tip is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT on Thursday. Watch live on ESPN+ and listen on 106.1 The Eagle.
GAME INFORMATION
Matchup: Tennessee Tech (9-14, 4-8 OVC) vs. Western Illinois (4-19, 3-7 OVC)
Date & Time: Thursday, Feb. 5 | 7:30 p.m. CT.
Venue: Hooper Eblen Center
Stream: ESPN+ | Dylan Vazzano (PxP) and Steve Smith (Analyst)
Radio: 106.1 The Eagle | Noah McKay (PxP) and Frank Harrell (Analyst)
Tennessee Tech MBB Game Notes vs. WIU
The Golden Eagles have won two in a row with a 90-85 victory over the No. 2 team in the OVC, Tennessee State, on Monday. It marks the first time since Dec. 13-18 that the Golden Eagles have won consecutive games (3 straight) and the third time this season that they have won back-to-back games. Tech looks to match its longest winning streak of the season (3 games) with a victory over Western Illinois (4-19, 3-7). WIU has lost 12 straight games (all OVC) dating back to its last win on Dec. 13 at North Dakota (69-66).
LAST MATCHUP AT WIU
Back on Jan. 10, the Golden Eagles earned their second win all-time against WIU and first on the road with a 59-54 victory in Macomb. Mekhi Cameron led the way with 15 points on 5-of-11 shooting and recorded his 10th game in double figures. Cameron now has 14 games with double-digit points this season, including a career-high 23 at TSU on Monday. TTU scored 41 second-half points and limited WIU to just nine made shots to close out the 59-54 win on the road.
LAST GAME
Cameron led the way with a career-high 23 points on 7-of-12 from the field, including 5-of-7 from three. Three other Golden Eagles scored in double digits with Brandon Muntu scoring 16 (5-of-10 FG), Dani Pounds recording 15 points (5-7 FG), and Ty Owens made what proved to be the game-winning three-pointer with 27 seconds left and finished with 13 points (3-7 FG, 3-3 3FG). The Golden Eagles upset the No. 2 team in the conference and held command of the game for most of the play, ultimately holding off a late push to win by 5. The 90 points were the most the Golden Eagles have scored on the road this season.
SCORING LEADERS
Mekhi Cameron leads the team with 12.0 ppg, shooting 43.2 percent from the field. Cameron is 18th in the OVC in points per game. He is ninth in the OVC in free-throw percentage (78.8, 67-85), Dani Pounds is second on the team with 10.7 ppg, and leads the team with 4.9 reb per game. He is 10th in the OVC in free-throw percentage (76.8, 73-95). JaJuan Nicholls is third on the team with 10.0 ppg and leads the team in field goal percentage at 64.1 percent. Brandon Muntu is 8th in the conference in made three-pointers (43).
INSIDE THE SERIES
Overall: TTU trails, 2-4
In Cookeville: TTU trails 1-2
In Macomb, Ill.: TTU trails 1-2
Neutral sites: Series tied 0-0
Current Streak: TTU won 1
Last Meeting: TTU won 59-54 on Jan. 10 at Western Illinois
PURCHASE TICKETS
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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Fans can be sure to follow the Golden Eagles men's basketball team on X (@TTU_Basketball), Instagram (TTUMBB), and Facebook (TTU MBB) for all news, notes, and updates.
