By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech basketball team will wrap up its four-game road adventure Monday evening, traveling west to Kansas City to take on UMKC in historic Municipal Auditorium.
The Golden Eagles (6-5) will take on the Kangaroos (4-8) with a 7:05 p.m. CT tip, marking the end of an era for Tennessee Tech. The contest represents the final return game from the ESPN BracketBuster series that concluded with the 2012-13 season.
UMKC enters the contest after dropping a heartbreaker at home Saturday evening, falling to Incarnate Word, 110-104 in triple overtime. The Kangaroos opened the season with a very impressive victory at Missouri, downing the Tigers 69-61.
Tech also comes into Monday's game after just losing in Knoxville to Tennessee. The Golden Eagles ran out of time in a comeback effort, falling to the Vols, 61-58.
Tennessee Tech (6-5) at UMKC (4-8)
Monday, Dec. 22, 2014
7:05 p.m. CT
Municipal Auditorium (9,987) – Kansas City, Mo.
The Broadcasts
TV: None
Radio: 106.1 The Eagle (Roger Ealey)
Webcast: WAC Digital Network
SETTING THE STAGE
The fifth meeting in program history, the Golden Eagles own a commanding 4-1 lead all-time against UMKC. The Kangaroos lone victory against Tech did come in Kansas City, back in 1990, a nine-point win in the same Municipal Auditorium.
Tech's four victories in the series have come by an average of just four points, with the contest against the Roos proving to be a tough match-up every time.
This year's UMKC squad is led by Martez Harrison, a sophomore guard averaging 17.2 points per game thanks to several trips to the free throw line this season. Harrison is 58-of-80 from the charity stripe for a 72.5 percent mark and also leads the team in assists and steals with 50 and 31, respectively.
The team's leading rebounder, Shayok Shayok, has missed the past three games due to injury, but was averaging seven boards per game before the injury. He also added 8.8 points per game while shooting 56 percent from the field.
UMKC distributes its scoring, with seven players averaging five points or more this season. The Roos are scoring 71.5 points per game, and forcing a whopping 20.1 turnovers per contest.
The Golden Eagles enter the contest averaging 71.9 points per game and forcing 15.7 turnovers per contest. Tech has held its opponents to just 65.5 points per game, however, as opposed to over 72 points per game for the Roos.
Tech's leading man, Charles Jackson, ranks first in the squad in both points and rebounds per game, averaging 13.5 and 9.5, respectively. He has recorded nine double-doubles this season, tying for the national lead in just 11 games. He also leads the team with 13 blocks and in field goal percentage with a mark of .602.
Fellow big man, Dwan Caldwell, adds 12.5 points per game while ranking second on the team with 5.3 boards. Josiah Moore and Torrance Rowe each just miss double-figure scoring averages, pouring in 9.7 and 9.6 points, respectively.
Photo by Rich Schmitt
