By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The battle on the boards was the deciding factor in Monday night's men's basketball game between Tennessee Tech and Marshall, as the Golden Eagles (1-2) fell to the Thundering Herd (1-1) at Cam Henderson Center, 91-65.
The first of two games for the purple and gold as part of the Herd Run Hoops Jam presented by Tarkett Sports multi-team event, Tech struggled to keep Marshall off the offensive glass during the night, particularly in the first half. The Herd used a 26-14 advantage on the boards, paced by 13 on the offensive end alone, to attempt 17 more shots than the Golden Eagles to open the game.
Despite both sides shooting with relatively even efficiency, Marshall took a 43-27 lead into the break thanks to the extra possessions gained from the rebounding differential and 10 Tech turnovers.
The Golden Eagles turned in better efforts in ball control and rebounding in the second half, making just six turnovers and hauling in 16 boards to Marshall's 22. The Herd still outscored the purple and gold, however, hitting 55.6 percent of its attempt from the floor and 6-of-12 tries from distance for a 48-38 advantage in the second half.
Tech shot 44.1 percent from the field during the contest, finishing 6-for-21 from 3-point range. Marshall out-rebounded the Golden Eagles 48-30, taking 20 more shots from the field. The Herd's Taevion Kinsey led the contest with 28 points on 13-for-19 efficiency and seven assists.
For the purple and gold, it was graduate transfer Jaylen Sebree pacing the scoring effort with 14 points on 6-for-9 shooting. The forward added five rebounds and a steal as well. Fellow newcomer Jayvis Harvey turned in his best performance on the young season, producing 13 points with five rebounds and pair of dimes.
South Dakota transfer Erik Oliver chipped in 10 points for good measure, finishing 4-for-9 overall. Graduate guard Ty Perry led the Golden Eagles with four assists while scoring nine points on 3-for-4 shooting. Center Nolan Causwell paced Tech on the glass with six boards in 17 minutes while sinking all four of his attempts from the floor for eight points.
The purple and gold return home for the second contest in the Herd Run Hoops Jam presented by Tarkett Sports, playing host to Coppin State Thursday evening as part of a doubleheader with the Golden Eagle women's team. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m. CT in the Eblen Center.
File photo by Jim Dillon