Tech meets Wildcats for first time

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Tennessee Tech meets Bethune-Cookman Friday looking to wrap up play at the Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic with a win and enter Ohio Valley Conference play winners of five of its last six games.

Tip-off between the Golden Eagles and the Wildcats is set for 4:30 p.m. CST at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

The Golden Eagles defeated Kennesaw State 81-68  in the Las Vegas Classic on Thursday. Tech began play in the event at West Virginia on Monday, falling 72-53. Prior to that, the Golden Eagles had won three consecutive games over Evansville, Lipscomb and East Tennessee State.

Friday's game marks Tech's first-ever meeting with Bethune-Cookman. The Golden Eagles are 3-2 all-time against current members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Bethune-Cookman defeated Texas A&M Corpus Christi on Thursday, 61-52.

Through 12 games this season, Kevin Murphy is Tech's leading scorer, averaging 19.8 points per game to go with 5.7 rebounds. Jud Dillard scores 16.3 points per contest and is the Golden Eagles' leading rebounder at 8.7 boards per game. Zac Swansey is distributing 5.9 assists per outing. Murphy leads the OVC in scoring while Dillard is the league's leading rebounder and Swansey sits atop the conference in assists.

Anthony Breeze is Bethune-Cookman's leading scorer, averaging 13.1 points per game while Garrius Holliman is contributing 10.9 per contest. Breeze and Holliman are also the Wildcats' leaders in rebounding, averaging 6.6 and 6.3 boards, respectively.

Bethune-Cookman is 4-9 on the season and had lost four consecutive games against high-major competition prior to Thursday's win. The Wildcats have wins over Florida Christian, Webber International and Florida A&M, all at home.

Friday's game will be aired on WHUB AM 1400 and is available online via www.1400TheHub.com. Live stats are available at CBSSports.com.

After wrapping up play in Las Vegas, the Golden Eagles will return home for the Christmas holiday before hitting the road again for a two-game swing to open OVC play. Tech will play at SIU Edwardsville on Dec. 29 and at UT Martin on Dec. 31.