By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Strong showings on both sides of the ball propelled the Tennessee Tech men's basketball team to an 84-48 victory over Truett McConnell Tuesday evening, as the Golden Eagles (3-3) used a dominant first half to move to .500 on the 2022-23 campaign.
Leading by seven in the first half, the purple and gold closed the final 7:32 of the stanza on a 22-5 run to take a 49-25 advantage into the locker room. Tech was highly efficient over the opening 20 minutes, shooting 58.1 percent from the floor and an even better 58.3 percent from beyond the arc.
The Golden Eagles outpaced the Bears 35-23 in the second half. For the game, the Cookeville crew limited TMU to just 26.6 percent shooting and a 3-for-20 showing from distance.
Twelve of the 14 Golden Eagles that saw the floor produced at least one point on the night, led by graduate guard Ty Perry and his game-high 14 points. The Lafayette transfer was perfect from the floor, connecting on all five of his attempts, including a 4-for-4 effort from downtown.
Junior guard Brett Thompson flirted with a double-double in just 21 minutes of action, producing nine points, eight assists, and four steals. Fellow junior backcourt mate Erik Oliver turned in 12 points with a 5-for-7 performance from the field.
Freshman guard Grant Strong hauled in a team-high seven rebounds in 18 minutes off the bench, contributing eight points and three dimes. Local Sparta native Grant Slatten chipped in eight points, as did junior guard Diante Wood.
Playing in his first contest of the season, former manager Walter Peggs Jr. turned in six points and six boards in just under 13 minutes of action off the bench. Also a former Tech manager, Marcus Lee Jr. scored his first points in the purple and gold, converting a pair of free throws with two assists.
The Golden Eagles return to action Sunday, Nov. 27 with a trip north for a match-up at Northern Kentucky. Tip is set for 1:00 p.m. CT in Highland Heights, Ky.
Photo by Jim Dillon