CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – After Austin Peay's Anthony Campbell
tied the game at 65 with six seconds remaining Tech's Kevin Murphy
took the ball the length of the court and sunk a buzzer-beating
3-pointer to lift the Tennessee Tech men's basketball team to a
68-65 over Austin Peay in the Dunn Center in the opening round of
the OVC Tournament. The Golden Eagles advance to the OVC
semi-finals to take on Morehead State on Friday at 8:00 p.m. on
ESPNU.
“In those situations coach just wants us to play it
out,” Murphy said. “We work on those things in practice
and I was just looking to get to the hole, but they left me open
for the three so I took it. It was my first buzzer-beater and it
felt good. Their fans were all over us all night so it was nice to
quiet them at the end.”
Elijah Muhammad gave Tech its slim 65-62 lead on a layup with 24
seconds to play. On APSU’s ensuing possession Campbell missed
a 3-point attempt with 13 seconds left. But he was able to corral
his own rebound and bury his second attempt to tie the game at 65
with just six seconds to play.
The game went back-and-fourth throughout as there were four ties
and six lead changes, but Tech never led by more than five points.
The Golden Eagles owned the glass with a 33-23 rebounding
advantage, including a 12-4 advantage on the offensive side which
led to 10 second-chance points. Tech scored 36 of its 68 points in
the paint.
Murphy and Alfred Jones paced the Golden Eagles with 18 points
each. Murphy hit 8-of-16 shots from the field and also finished
with four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Jones hit 9-of-11
shots, collected four rebounds and blocked two shots.
Muhammad finished the game with nine points, nine rebounds and four
assists, while Frank Davis had nine points and four assists as
well. Zach Bailey finished with three points, hitting a clutch
3-pointer that put Tech up 61-57 with three and a half minutes to
play that silenced a would-be Austin Peay run that nearly erased a
five-point Tech advantage.
“Tonight different guys stepped up for us, and it was a full
team effort,” TTU head coach Mike Sutton said. “We need
everybody to click all the time, and that’s what we got out
of our guys tonight.”
After shooting 38.5 percent in the first half, the Golden Eagles
connected on 65.5 percent (19-of-29) shots in the second half and
shot 52.7 percent for the game. The Golden Eagles struggled from
the free-throw line, connecting on just 4-of-13 attempts from the
line. Austin Peay shot 53.7 percent from the field for the game,
and 55.6 percent (5-of-9) from 3-point distance.
Austin Peay built its largest lead of the game, a 41-33 advantage,
with just over 13 minutes to play, but Tech would chip away before
going on a 12-2 run to take a 54-49 lead with seven minutes to
play.
The meeting was the third of the season between the Golden Eagles
and Govs, and all three came down to the wire. Tech topped APSU
94-90 in Cookeville in January. When the teams met for the second
time it was Austin Peay erasing a late deficit to force overtime
and steal a 77-72 win.
Tech is the only road team to win an opening round game in this
year’s OVC Tournament, and advances to the semi-finals in
Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena (formerly the Sommet Center)
along with No. 1 seeded Murray State, No. 2 Morehead State and No.
4 Eastern Illinois. Both semi-final games will be broadcast live on
ESPNU beginning with Murray State vs. Eastern Illinois at 6 p.m. on
March 5, and followed by Tech vs. Morehead State at 8 p.m. The OVC
Championship game will be March 6 on ESPN 2.
“When we played at Morehead State I thought we had tremendous
effort,” Sutton said. “And when they came to our place
I thought we looked good for 25 or 30 minutes, but not the whole
game. It’s going to take another great effort from our guys
in that game.”
The Golden Eagles advance to their first OVC semi-finals since
2006. Tech eliminated Austin Peay in the first round of the
tournament that year as well before falling to Samford.
Tickets for the semifinals and finals are on sale at the Athletics
Ticket Office in Eblen Center until noon Thursday. Tickets may also
be ordered online at TTUsports.com. The cost of the tickets is $20
each per session.
Tech students may purchase tickets for $5 per session with a valid
ID. Student tickets will also be on sale at the Eblen Center until
noon Thursday, or can be purchased at the Bridgestone Arena on the
day of each game with a valid TTU ID.
Tech fans are invited to gather for a pregame celebration,
sponsored by TTU Alumni Relations. The event will take place Friday
afternoon at the Big River Grille, located on Broadway Avenue in
Nashville. Times and additional details will be announced
Wednesday.
June 2, 2010
Gates, Muhammad named as TTU Strength All-Americans
March 16, 2010
Frank Davis receives NABC second-team all-district honors
March 1, 2010
Golden Eagles visit Austin Peay in OVC opening round
February 28, 2010
Tech faces OVC Tournament doubleheader Tuesday at Austin Peay
February 27, 2010
Golden Eagles slip past Gamecocks on Senior Night, 72-62
February 22, 2010
OVC Basketball Tournament to expand, change locations beginning in 2011
February 20, 2010
Golden Eagles drop BrackerBuster contest at Appalachian State
February 19, 2010
Golden Eagles visit Appalachian State in ESPNU BracketBuster
February 18, 2010
Tech bows in overtime for second time this week
February 17, 2010
Golden Eagles look for season sweep of Austin Peay
February 15, 2010
Golden Eagles visit Tennessee State for OVC double-header
February 15, 2010
Tennessee State outlasts Golden Eagles in double-overtime
February 13, 2010
Tech subdues Skyhawks, 70-61, to tighten OVC standings
February 12, 2010
Tech hosts defending OVC champion UT Martin Saturday night
February 11, 2010
Zach Bailey receives 2010 First Tennessee Bank Scholarship
February 11, 2010
Tech can't stop streaking Racers, fall 94-62 in Eblen Center
February 9, 2010
Unbeaten Murray State visits Eblen Center for OVC clash
February 8, 2010
Dillard earns third Freshman of the Week honor
February 6, 2010
Davis torches the nets but Golden Eagles fall at Morehead State
February 4, 2010
EKU ends Tech's win streak at four games
February 2, 2010
Basketball travels to Eastern Kentucky for a Thursday doubleheader
February 1, 2010
Golden Eagles draw Appalachian State in ESPNU BracketBuster
January 30, 2010
Strong second half lifts Tech over SEMO for fourth consecutive win
January 29, 2010
Doubleheader vs. Southeast Missouri will go on Saturday as scheduled
January 29, 2010
Tech basketball hosts Southeast Missouri in OVC double-header
January 28, 2010
Golden Eagles pull away late, top Eastern Illinois Panthers 75-65
January 27, 2010
Golden Eagles look for redemption against Eastern Illinois
January 26, 2010
Free H1N1 shots available, free tickets to game with vaccination
January 25, 2010
Mike Sutton: Comeback coach of all time
January 25, 2010
Dillard earns second Freshman of the Week honor
January 23, 2010
Clemens, Porter, Lewis among Golden Eagles returning Saturday
January 23, 2010
Golden Eagles tame TSU Tigers, 61-56, behind Murphy and Jones
January 22, 2010
Tiger Hunt: Golden Eagles host Tennessee State Saturday night
January 21, 2010
Davis, Dillard and balance help Tech to 94-90 win over APSU
January 20, 2010
Golden Eagles host rival Austin Peay to begin four-game homestand
January 19, 2010
Reminder: Free admission to families of 278th and area youth teams
January 18, 2010
Students invited to "Welcome Back Bash" in Eblen Center Thursday
January 16, 2010
Racers maintain league lead with 88-66 win over Golden Eagles
January 14, 2010
TTU men's basketball featured on CollegeChalktalk.com
January 14, 2010
The Sports Zone names Frank Davis Champion of the Week
January 14, 2010
All-session tickets for 2010 OVC Basketball Tournament now on sale
January 12, 2010
Golden Eagles to play on national TV against UT Martin Thursday
January 8, 2010
Tech vs. TSU chosen as OVC Radio Game of the Week
January 7, 2010
Tech takes on Eastern Kentucky in crucial OVC matchup
January 7, 2010
Late run lifts Morehead State to 77-64 OVC win in Eblen Center
January 4, 2010
Frank Davis earns OVC co-Player of the Week honors
December 30, 2009
Davis, Muhammad pace Tech to year-ending win over Union, 95-46
December 23, 2009
Two championship teams featured at Jan. 23 Basketball Alumni Day
December 19, 2009
Jones paces Golden Eagles to 97-44 win over Bryan Lions
December 16, 2009
Happy Holidays: Special gift for season ticket holders
December 14, 2009
Tech's Dillard honored as OVC Freshman of the Week
December 12, 2009
Golden Eagles bounce Ball State in overtime thriller
December 10, 2009
Youth Basketball, Scouts special invited guests at Saturday doubleheader
December 7, 2009
Fans reminded of changes to basketball schedule this week
December 2, 2009
Jordan, McKay named to Atlanta Preseason All-Metro Team
December 1, 2009
Evansville edges Tech in double overtime, 91-90
November 30, 2009
Golden Eagles return home to take on Evansville in Eblen Center
November 27, 2009
Golden Eagles give great effort in loss at No. 1 Kansas
November 25, 2009
Golden Eagles claim 72-65 road victory over Southern Utah
November 24, 2009
Golden Eagles head west to face Southern Utah
November 23, 2009
Big second half lifts Oakland past Golden Eagles, 77-56
November 20, 2009
Golden Eagles visit Memphis in second game of Hall of Fame Showcase
November 20, 2009
Balanced attack lifts Memphis over Golden Eagles
November 19, 2009
Murphy, Davis pace Golden Eagles over Lipscomb, 92-89
November 18, 2009
Golden Eagles continue road trip with visit to in-state foe Lipscomb
November 17, 2009
Golden Eagle game at No. 1 Kansas available on ESPN Full Court
November 16, 2009
Golden Eagles get team effort in 71-67 win over Central Arkansas
November 13, 2009
Golden Eagles drop season opener at No. 18 Minnesota
November 12, 2009
Golden Eagles sign Dunwoody standout Javon McKay
November 11, 2009
Starting times announced for women's and men's basketball games
November 11, 2009
Golden Eagles host Faculty/Staff Appreciation practice session
November 11, 2009
Golden Eagles tip off regular season against No. 18 Minnesota
November 7, 2009
Men's and women's basketball hosts youth clinic
November 5, 2009
Golden Eagles outlast Bluefield for 85-78 exhibition win
November 3, 2009
Gathering of Eagles, Poster Night slated Thursday in Eblen Center
October 29, 2009
Golden Eagle basketball team to hold open practice Saturday
October 29, 2009
Golden Eagles picked seventh in men's basketball preseason poll
October 28, 2009
National audience to hear OVC Men's Basketball title game
October 21, 2009
Tech men's basketball to hold open scrimmage Saturday morning
October 1, 2009
Casey Owens wins men's basketball shoe give-away
September 24, 2009
Golden Eagles to participate in 2010 BracketBuster game
September 23, 2009
Former Golden Eagle Milone Clark in Globetrotter camp
September 22, 2009
Golden Eagle schedule issues some big challenges to Mike Suttons squad
September 21, 2009
Nashville, OVC announced as hosts for 2012 NCAA First/Second Rounds
September 15, 2009
Men's basketball gets great turnout at Elite Camp
August 13, 2009
Men's basketball to host Premier Skills Camp
June 17, 2009
First African-American NBA player shares experiences
June 3, 2009
Georgia guard Zac Swansey transfers to Golden Eagles
May 17, 2009
Sutton adds signee Dillard from Georgia prep ranks