COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Tech men's basketball team is
set to rock the Eblen Center Saturday afternoon when it takes on
Ball State at 2 p.m. in the first half of a double-header with the
Golden Eagle women's team.
Tech owns a 2-1 lead in the all-time series against Ball State, but
the Cardinals edged Tech in the last meeting between the two
teams.
The Golden Eagles (3-6, 0-1 OVC) and Cardinals (2-3, 0-0 MAC) faced
off last season in an ESPN Bracket Buster match-up in Muncie, Ind.,
in a game that Ball State edged Tech 59-55. In that game the Golden
Eagles, facing a 32-19 halftime deficit, held Ball State to just
3-of-20 shooting in the second half as they battled back. But the
Cardinals hung on to claim the four-point victory.
Ball State is led by Jarrod Jones in the post. Jones is averaging
13.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Jauwan Scaife averages 10.6
points and 2.4 boards entering the contest, while Terrence Watson
leads the team in rebounds with 7.6 per game. Since beating Valpo
88-78 in the season opener, the Cardinals have not scored more than
58 points in a contest, averaging 49.8 ppg in that span (1-3).
Tech enters the contest looking to snap a three-game skid. The
Golden Eagles are led in scoring by Kevin Murphy and Frank Davis.
Murphy is averaging a team-high 14.0 points per game, while Davis
is scoring 12.9 points per game on 45.7 percent shooting from
three-point range. Elijah Cunningham-Muhammad is averaging 9.7
points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. Tech has also gotten
solid production from two true-freshmen Jud Dillard and Terrell
Barnes. The two, who were high school teammates at Riverdale High
School in Riverdale, Ga., a season ago, are combining to average
13.6 points and 7.3 boards per game.
The game will be broadcast live on WHUB AM-1400 with Roger Ealey on
the play-by-play. For fans outside of the Cookeville area the game
can be heard for free on teamline by calling 1-800-846-4700 (team
code 0654) or visiting www.teamline.cc. The game will also be
streamed live on OVCsports.tv.
Saturday marks the first of a three-game home stand for Tech which
also includes games against Bryan College (Dec. 19) and Union (Dec.
30). For season or individual-game ticket information contact the
Tennessee Tech ticket office at (931) 372-3940 or visit
TTUsports.com.