NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Tech men's basketball team fell to an Ohio Valley Conference quality-like opponent Friday evening, losing to Lipscomb 80-64 in Nashville. The final score didn't tell the whole story, however, as the game was much closer than the 16-point win might indicate.

The Bisons used double digit scoring efforts from four different players to put the game away with just over two minutes to play. Down by as many as 14 points with just four and a half minutes to go, the Golden Eagles fought and clawed their way back to within four with 2:42 left in the second half. Lipscomb would end the game on a 12-0 run, fueled by six free throws.

Tech faced a nine point deficit at halftime, but rode an impressive 11-2 run to tie things up with 14:55 to go. Leading the early second half charge was junior guard Jeremiah Samarrippas. The transfer out of SMU, who scored a Golden Eagle career-best 15 points at Loyola on Wednesday, exploded for a team-best and career-high 20 points, including 12 from behind the arc.

Senior guard Jud Dillard played his part for the Golden Eagles, recording his third double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 boards. Junior forward Matt Marseille added 14 points of his own to round out Tech's high scorers.

The Golden Eagles will look to rebound from the two-game road trip with a home contest against Berea on Monday, Dec. 3. With a 7 p.m. start time, Tech will look to pick up a much needed home win before heading into a brutal part of its non-conference schedule.