By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech men's basketball forward Mamoudou Diarra was named the Ohio Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week Monday afternoon, the first such honor of his career and first weekly accolade for the Golden Eagles in the 2021-22 campaign.
A transfer from Cincinnati, Diarra averaged 13.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.0 blocks, and 1.0 assists per game while shooting 58.8 percent from the field, 50.0 percent from deep, and 75.0 percent from the charity stripe in a pair of games for the purple and gold. In helping Tech to a big home win over Lipscomb, he accounted for a career-high 21 points on 8-for-13 shooting. He corralled seven boards while hitting 3-of-6 tries from beyond the arc.
At nationally-ranked Tennessee, he accounted for six points, four rebounds, a block, and an assist in 25 minutes of action. He ranks fourth in the OVC in blocks (1.3 per game) and ninth in rebounding (6.0 per game).
The Golden Eagles return to Cookeville for a rematch with in-state rival Chattanooga on Tuesday in the Hooper Eblen Center. Tip for the contest is set for 6:00 p.m. CT with the game set to be streamed on ESPN+. 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.
Photo by Jim Dillon