By Rob Schabert, TTU Sports Information Director
COOKEVILLE. Tenn. – Tennessee Tech opened a four-game homestand in impressive fashion Thursday night, rattling the rims for a 92-39 victory over Indiana-Kokomo to improve to 2-0 in Eblen Center.
The Golden Eagles (3-3) have only one day to savor their victory, jumping right back into action Saturday night when they host Milwaukee at 7 p.m. Fans holding tickets to the Golden Eagle football game against Austin Peay Saturday afternoon can receive free admission to the basketball game by presenting their football ticket.
Tech spends the remainder of the month on familiar hardwood, where a balanced attack led to the 53-point victory over the Cougars (0-7) Thursday. It is tied for the 10th largest margin of victory in school history.
All 13 Golden Eagle players who saw the floor put points on the board, including seven with eight or more and four in double digits. Ladon Carter's 14 points topped the charts as he shot 7-for-9, while Dwan Caldwell added 11 points on 5-for-8 accuracy and added nine rebounds. Ty Allen and DeOndre Haynes scored 10 each. The 10 points marked a career-high for Haynes.
Haynes, seeing his first action of the season, also snared five of Tech's 20 steals, the fifth-highest single-game total in the school record book.
Dylan Mosack scored 12 to top the Cougars, while Spencer Krhin and Link Lovins notched eight each.
Tech steadily took control in the first half, combining stifling defense with wide-open offense as the lead grew to 23 points by halftime, 41-18. The Golden Eagles were 8-for-11 from the field over a late eight-minute stretch, and shot 50 percent (16-for-32) in the opening half. At the other end of the floor, Tech limited Kokomo to connect on just 28 percent (7-for-25) during the first 20 minutes.
The Golden Eagles were nearly flawless in the second half, shooting 62.2 percent (23-for-37) and committing just one foul. Tech also limited turnovers to just three after the intermission.
Tech finished the game hitting 56.5 percent (36-for-69) from the field, with a mark of 63.6 percent (35-for-55) inside the arc. The Golden Eagles were 10-for-11 at the free throw line and held a 42-27 advantage in rebounds.
Kokomo shot 31.4 percent (16-for-51) overall, including 2-for-13 from long range. The Cougars were 5-for-8 at the charity stripe.
