By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – A strained first half on offense was too much for the Tennessee Tech men's basketball team to overcome Monday evening, as the Golden Eagles fell in their 2023-24 season opener against No. 9 Tennessee at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, 80-42.
Squaring off against their highest-ranked opponent since visiting No. 7 North Carolina in the 2018-19 season, the purple and gold used an impressive showing on the defensive side early in the opening stanza to stay in the hunt. By the second media break of the contest, the scoreboard read a 7-2 lead for the home team.
Even at 16-6 with less than eight minutes to go in the first half, the Cookeville crew found itself well within reach. Tech couldn't hold the UT offense quiet forever, however, as the Volunteers found their rhythm, particularly from distance, to pull away.
Tennessee fired at a 51.6 percent clip over the first 20 minutes of action, sinking 7-of-15 tries from distance to open a 41-12 advantage heading into the locker room. Tech was held to just 15.4 percent shooting with four field goals, including a 1-for-6 mark from 3-point range.
The Golden Eagles made some noticeable adjustments in the second half, eclipsing their first-half output on offense by the 10:50 mark. Tech held the nation's No. 9 team to just six points over the first eight minutes of the second half, including a scoring drought of nearly four minutes.
After making 10 turnovers in the first half, the purple and gold turned it over just six times in the second, using the extra possessions to their advantage. The Golden Eagles shot 43.5 percent over the final 20 minutes, producing 30 points.
Sophomore guard Josiah Davis led the purple and gold offensively, scoring 13 points with three boards in his first official game with the Golden Eagles. Junior guard David Early chipped in nine points while leading the Tech crew with four assists.
Rodney Johnson Jr. turned in eight points and six rebounds in his Tech debut, finishing a perfect 4-for-4 from the charity stripe. Senior veteran Diante Wood paced the Golden Eagles with seven rebounds while adding four points. Making their collegiate debuts were rookies Kyle Layton, scoring two points with an assist, and Rylee Samons, hauling in a pair of boards.
Tech returns to the court Friday evening, making the familiar trip to Murray, Ky. for a 7:00 p.m. CT tilt with longtime and former Ohio Valley Conference rival Murray State.
Photo by Thomas Corhern
