BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – A basketball player who is hitting over 50 percent of his shots is having a pretty good game. So when Tennessee Tech freshman Jud Dillard hit 16-of-18 shots on the week, shooting 88.9 percent from the field, it’s no surprise he was a nearly unanimous selection as the OVC’s Freshman of the Week.

Dillard averaged 17 points and five rebounds per game as Tech went 2-0 in league games for the week. He scored a career-high 23 points against Austin Peay and had 17 of his 23 points in the second half, as the Golden Eagles erased a halftime deficit to clinch a crucial league win. Dillard hit 11-of-12 shots in that game and collected six rebounds.

In Tech’s win against Tennessee State, Dillard went 5-of-6 from the field and scored 11 points to go along with four rebounds and a steal.

Dillard did an exceptional job of moving without the ball in both games, and his teammates did a great job finding him, as he got to the rim at will and finished at the basket. He received nine out of 10 first-place votes for the award, and one second place vote.

“Jud had two great games for us this week,” TTU head men’s basketball coach Mike Sutton said. “He is probably our best player when it comes to moving without the ball. He never stops moving and he really understands the game.”

Dillard is averaging 8.9 points and 4.1 rebounds per game in his freshman campaign for the Golden Eagles. He has played in all 20 games this season off the bench and is playing nearly 20 minutes per contest. He is second on the team in field goal percentage on the season, hitting 59.8 (76-of-127) percent of his shots, trailing only Alfred Jones, who leads the OVC with a 69.5 field goal percentage.

The award is Dillard’s second Freshman of the Week honor this season. He was also named Freshman of the Week on Dec. 14, two days after finishing with 15 points, four rebounds, two assists, a blocked shot and a steal in 19 minutes of play in Tech’s win over Ball State.

Dillard, along with fellow freshman teammate Terrell Barnes, comes to Tech from Riverdale High School in Riverdale, Ga. The 6-4, 180 pound guard is enrolled in general curriculum.

With the two wins on the week Tech improved to 10-10 overall and 4-5 in OVC play. The Golden Eagles host two OVC games this week as they kick off the week looking to avenge an overtime loss to Eastern Illinois earlier in the season when the Panthers visit on Jan. 28. The Golden Eagles will wrap up the week with a game against Southeast Missouri on Jan. 30. Tech got a win at SEMO on Jan. 2.

For ticket information please contact the Golden Eagle athletic ticket office at (931) 372-3940 or visit TTUsports.com.