By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
ST. CHARLES, Mo. – The way this Ohio Valley Conference season has gone this year, one thing is for sure – never expect the usual result. While Tennessee Tech won both meetings last season against conference newcomer Lindenwood, the Lions are certainly no pushover.
There's always the old transitive property with OVC leader Southern Indiana falling to Tennessee State, then TSU dropping a double-overtime contest against Lindenwood on Thursday night in a heated matchup. Then there's Lindenwood's win over UT Martin, a team that's currently tied for third in the league standings.
On any given night this season, the only certainty in the OVC is uncertainty.
The Golden Eagles, after breaking a two-game skid with an important win at Southeast Missouri on Thursday night, know that all too well as they still stand striking distance of second place in the standings and a stone's throw from potential elimination. Tech made progress on Thursday, but there's still plenty more work to do.
Tipoff from St. Charles is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday. Dylan Vazzano will have the call on 106.1 The Eagle, while the game will be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required).
Lindenwood (6-15 overall and 4-7 in the OVC) has shown improvement and is one of the hotter teams in the league at the moment, winning three of their last four games. The Lions took down UT Martin on the road 73-68, beat Southeast Missouri 67-53, fell 75-68 against Western Illinois, then beat Tennessee State 81-73 in double overtime.
As a team, Lindenwood is averaging 67.6 points while allowing 73.0. The Lions are shooting .415 from the floor, .279 from 3-point range and .638 from the free-throw line, and have been outrebounded by an average of 37.8 rebounds to 30.8.
Ellie Brueggemann leads Lindenwood in scoring with a 14.9-point average, while five players are averaging seven points and change a game. Justis Odom and Alyssa Nielsen lead the team in rebounding with a 3.8-board average.
This is the first meeting with the Lions this season after Tech won both contests against Lindenwood in 2022-23.
Tech (5-6 in the league and 10-12 overall) has been on a roller coaster in conference play so far. After falling to Little Rock and UT Martin to open the slate, the Golden Eagles won three of the next four with wins on the road at Morehead State and Tennessee State, a road loss at Southern Indiana and a home win with SEMO. In the last five games, Tech fell at Eastern Illinois, won at SIUE, lost to Southern Indiana and Morehead State at home, then topped SEMO at the Cape.
As a team, the Golden Eagles are averaging 68.8 points, while allowing 66.2. Tech is shooting .405 from the floor, .325 from 3-point range and .762 at the free-throw line. Maaliya Owens leads the team in scoring with a 15.0-point average with Reghan Grimes close to double-digits at 9.7 points. Reagan Hurst (8.9 ppg) and Anna Walker (8.4 ppg) aren't too far behind.
Grimes leads the team in rebounding with a 5.5-board mark, while Peyton Carter leads the team in assists with 62, Walker leads the team with 30 blocks and Hurst with 33 steals.
Following Saturday's game at Lindenwood, the Golden Eagles will return home for a Tuesday showdown against Tennessee State in the Eblen Center.
Tickets for Tennessee Tech basketball are on sale now – call (931) 372-3940, visit the Eblen Center ticket office or order online at TTUsports.com.
