By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech men's basketball team returns to action in the Hooper Eblen Center Tuesday night, playing host to Wright State at 7:30 p.m. CT as part of the first regular season doubleheader of the 2019-20 campaign.
The Golden Eagle women's squad will kick off the night with a 5:30 p.m. showdown with ULM.
Tennessee Tech (1-1) vs. Wright State (2-0)
Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019
7:30 p.m. CT
Eblen Center (7,500) – Cookeville, Tenn.
The Broadcasts
TV: None
Radio: 106.1 The Eagle (Roger Ealey)
Webcast: ESPN+ (Dylan Vazzano & Frank Harrell)
Tech enters the contest fresh off the first win of the John Pelphrey era, an 83-70 decision over Martin Methodist Saturday evening. The win also marked the 150th of Pelphrey's career, having spent the first nine seasons of his head coaching career at South Alabama and Arkansas.
In the contest, five Golden Eagles found themselves in double figures in the scoring column, with sophomore forward Amadou Sylla leading the way with game highs of 20 points and 14 rebounds on his way to his first double-double.
Freshman guard Keishawn Davidson also turned in his first career double-double, sporting 11 points and 10 assists in the contest. Sophomore guard Hunter Vick hit 4-of-5 3-pointers on his way to 16 points while senior guard Darius Allen chipped in 14 points and eight boards. Sophomore guard Jr. Clay notched 13 points, six assists and four steals.
On Monday, the Ohio Valley Conference recognized two Golden Eagles for their first week of play, with Sylla taking home the league's Newcomer of the Week honors and Davidson earning OVC Freshman of the Week accolades. Sylla averaged 16.5 points and 9.0 rebounds while shooting 77.8 percent from the field while Davidson averaged 14.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 8.0 assists.
Tuesday will represent the first-ever meeting between Tech and Wright State and the Golden Eagles' first match-up with a Horizon League member since the 2013-14 campaign. Tech actually faced two current members of the Horizon League and one future member that season, including Purdue Fort Wayne (joining the HL in 2020), Milwaukee and Green Bay.
The Raiders entered the season after another impressive season in 2018-19, winning 20 or more games for the fourth straight year. Wright State finished 21-14 overall and 13-5 in conference play, advancing to the Horizon League Tournament Championship game. While the team lost to Northern Kentucky, 77-66, the Raiders did secure a bid to the National Invitation Tournament.
In two wins this season, (96-77 over Central State [Ohio] and 88-81 over Miami [Ohio]), the Raiders have had the offense rolling, averaging 92.0 points per game. The team also averages 46.0 rebounds per contest while shooting nearly 50 percent from the floor.
Loudon Love leads Wright State, averaging 18.0 points and 11.0 rebounds in the two contests while shooting 72.7 percent from the floor. Four more Raiders add 10 or more points per game, including Tanner Holden (13.5), Cole Gentry (12.5), Skyelar Potter (12.5) and Bill Wampler (12.0).
Season tickets for Tennessee Tech basketball are on sale now. Call (931) 372-3940, visit the Hooper Eblen Center ticket office, or log on to TTUSports.com to order yours today.
Photos by Thomas Corhern