By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – It was a tough night on offense for the Tennessee Tech men's basketball team Saturday in Nashville, as the Golden Eagles (3-22, 3-15) fell to the streaking Belmont Bruins (24-1, 18-0) at the Curb Event Center, 90-66.
Two days after turning in its best performance of the season, the Golden Eagle offense struggled to find its rhythm against the league's top squad, finishing the night 37.7 percent from the field and 21.1 percent from distance. The purple and gold improved in the turnover column after making 20 at Tennessee State, totaling just 11 against the Bruins.
The two sides traded barbs over the opening eight minutes, with Belmont holding just a two-point advantage with 11:30 to go in the half. The home team slowly edged its way out further ahead of the Golden Eagles, who finished just 1-for-11 from deep in the opening stanza, taking a 42-26 lead into the locker room.
Tech saw a bit more consistency in the second half, shooting 41.2 percent from the floor on its way to 40 points. The Golden Eagles also hit 3-of-8 attempts from downtown for a mark of 37.5 percent.
Junior guard Damaria Franklin represented the top weapon for the purple and gold, scoring a team-high 18 points while tying for the team lead of seven rebounds with Shandon Goldman. Sophomore Keishawn Davidson posted 13 points three dimes and a pair of steals in 36 minutes of action.
Jr. Clay hit a 3-pointer for the 35th-consecutive game, extending the program's second-longest streak in history. He finished with nine points, breaking a tie with Pete Abuls and moving into sole possession of 21st on Tech's all-time chart for scoring.
The Golden Eagles will return home for the final weekend of regular season play, hosting in-state foe Austin Peay in the Hooper Eblen Center in an 8:00 p.m. CT tilt Thursday, Feb. 25. Tech will then conclude the regular season with an 8:00 p.m. affair against Murray State on Saturday, Feb. 27.
File photo by WKU Athletics
