By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – It's that time of year again for the Tennessee Tech men's basketball team; time for the annual "Death Valley" road trip as the Golden Eagles head north for a rematch with Ohio Valley Conference Eastern Division rival Morehead State Thursday evening.
The two programs will square off on national television, with coverage being provided by CBS Sports Network, in Ellis T. Johnson Arena at 8:00 p.m. CST.
The Golden Eagles will look to exact a little revenge after falling to Morehead State on their home floor back in January, losing a 78-74 nail-biter in the Eblen Center. Tech shot 50 percent from the field in that outing, receiving huge efforts from Charles Jackson and Jordan Johnson on the offensive side of the ball. Jackson scored 18 points while Johnson led the team with a career-high 19 points behind four 3-pointers.
Tennessee Tech (12-16, 4-10) at Morehead State (13-16, 8-6)
Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015
8:00 p.m. CST
Ellis T. Johnson Arena (6,500) – Morehead, Ky.
The Broadcasts
TV: CBS Sports Network (John Sadak & Chris Walker)
Radio: 106.1 The Eagle (Dylan Vazzano)
Webcast: None
SETTING THE STAGE
Representing the 144th match-up all time, tonight's contest pits two long-time OVC rivals together in a series that has seen its share of domination from each side.
From the 1991-92 and 2007-08 seasons, the Golden Eagles racked up a 10-game advantage over the Eagles, winning 23 games in 36 contests. Since the 2007-08 campaign, Morehead has dominated, winning 14 of 17 match-ups, including nine in-a-row at one time.
The rivalry represents the third longest-running series without a break in team history, with the two squads meeting every year since the inaugural contest back in the 1949-50 season, Tech's first in the OVC.
Junior guard Torrance Rowe has come on strong over his last two games for Tech, recording career-highs in scoring in each contest and becoming the first Golden Eagle to record back-to-back 20-point games since Jud Dillard back at the end of the 2012-13 season. Rowe scored 22 points at East Tennessee State, adding eight assists and five rebounds. He followed that performance up with a 24-point night against Belmont, dishing out four more dimes as well.
Dominating the paint this season for the Tech squad has been junior center Charles Jackson. The big man leads the team in both scoring and rebounding, averaging 12.9 points and 9.3 rebounds. He also ranks either first or second in the OVC in rebounding, offensive rebounding, and defensive rebounding and is tied for fourth in the nation with 16 double-doubles. He has been named the OVC Newcomer of the Week five times this season.
A big key for the Golden Eagles will be to get their points down low. In nine of Tech's 12 victories this season, the team has scored at least 30 points in the paint. The other three wins saw totals of 28, 26 and 24 points as well. The Golden Eagles have lost just five games they have put up at least 30 points in the paint.
Photo by Jim Dillon
