Tech Welcomes Eastern Illinois Riding Wave of Momentum
Tennessee Tech men’s basketball hosts Eastern Illinois riding a three-game winning streak after victories over Little Rock (87-77), Tennessee State (90-85), and Western Illinois (97-72) over the last week. Game is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT – watch live on ESPN+ and list on 106.1 The Eagle.
| Final | 1 | 2 | T |
|---|---|---|---|
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31 | 29 | 60 |
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19 | 35 | 54 |
Team Stats
Eastern Illinois
| Game Statistics | Eastern Illinois | Tennessee Tech |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goals | (21-54) | (17-46) |
| Field Goal % | 38.9% | 37.0% |
| Rebounds | 25 | 37 |
| Assists | 9 | 8 |
| Turnovers | 10 | 21 |
| Pts off Turnovers | 16 | 8 |
| 2nd Chance Pts | 9 | 12 |
| Pts in the Paint | 28 | 24 |
| Fastbreak Pts | 19 | 12 |
| Bench Pts | 8 | 19 |
By Jeff Bowe, TTU Athletics Media Relations
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech men's basketball hosts Eastern Illinois, riding a three-game winning streak after victories over Little Rock (87-77), Tennessee State (90-85), and Western Illinois (97-72) over the last week. Game is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT – watch live on ESPN+ and listen on 106.1 The Eagle.
The Golden Eagles (10-14, 5-8) have climbed into postseason contention with three straight wins to move into a tie for 8th in the OVC with Eastern Illinois (9-15, 5-8), which is the final OVC Tournament seed. TTU faces Eastern Illinois for the second time this season after dropping the previous matchup 71-61 at EIU on Jan. 8.
Brandon Muntu has averaged 18.3 points per game during the three-game winning streak, while shooting 60.7 (17-28) percent from the field, including 13-of-21 (61.9%) from three. Muntu has been a game-changer for the Golden Eagles with his ability to shoot the long ball.
Mekhi Cameron has averaged 15.3 points per game while shooting 53.6 percent (15-28) and 9-of-16 (56.3%) over the last three games. Ja'Quavian Florence knocked down 5-of-6 (83.3%) against WIU for 13 pts, helping the Golden Eagles to the win. JaJuan Nicholls averages 13.0 ppg over the last three wins, while shooting an impressive 75.0 percent (15-20) from the field.
Over the three-game streak, the Golden Eagles have averaged 91.3 points per game while allowing 78.0 points per contest, outshooting opponents 54.8%-48.4%, and winning the rebound battle 33.7-26.0.
GAME INFORMATION
Matchup: Tennessee Tech (10-14, 5-8 OVC) vs. Eastern Illinois (9-15, 5-8 OVC)
Date & Time: Saturday, Feb. 7 | 3 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 Men's Basketball Game Notes vs. Eastern Illinois
The Golden Eagles have won three in a row for the second time this season, with a 97-72 win over Western Illinois on Thursday. Tech has tied its longest winning streak of the season and looks to extend it against Eastern Illinois at 3 p.m. on Saturday. The win lifts Tennessee Tech to 10–14 overall and 5–8 in the Ohio Valley Conference, continuing its late-season momentum with three straight victories. The 97 points were the third-highest point total between two conference foes in a game this season.
INSIDE THE SERIES
Overall: TTU leads, 34-20
In Cookeville: TTU leads, 20-6
In Charleston, Ill.: TTU leads 14-13
Neutral sites: TTU trails, 0-1
Current Streak: EIU won 1
Last Meeting: TTU lost 71-61 at EIU in Charleston, Ill.
LAST GAME
TTU shot 59.6 percent (34-57) from the field, including a season-high 16 made threes. The 16 made three-pointers surpassed the 15 made at TSU on Monday for the most this season. It's tied for the second-most made in a single game in program history (3x; last vs. Warren Wilson College, 12/6/18), and it ties the most made against a Division I opponent (16 vs. Charleston Southern, 12/28/99). 97 points are the most the Golden Eagles have scored since dropping 101 on Bethel (Tenn.) earlier in the season. It's the most points scored against an OVC opponent since scoring 98 against SEMO in a 98-94 win on Feb. 17, 2022.
Five Golden Eagles scored in double figures, led by Nicholls' 14 points in just 14 minutes while leading the team in rebounds with seven. Muntu and Owens each added 13, while Ja'Quavian Florence chipped in 13 off the bench and Dani Pounds added 12 on 4-of- 5 from the field. Tech assisted on 22 baskets, forced 15 turnovers, and controlled the glass with a 34–21 rebounding edge.
GOLDEN LEADERS
Tech is third in the OVC with a 33.5 three-point percentage (179-534) as a team, as well as third in the conference in made threes (179), averaging 7.5 threes per game. TTU leads the OVC in free-throw percentage, shooting 73.9 percent from the field (363-491). Mekhi Cameron is 10th in the conference in free-throw percentage (77.3, 68-88), and Dani Pounds is 11th in the OVC from the line, making 77.0 percent (77-100) from free throw. Brandon Muntu is 8th in the OVC in three-point field goals made per game (2.0) with 47 total threes. His 47 total threes are 7th in the conference. Ty Owens is 6th in assists per game (3.7) with 88 total assists this season.
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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