By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
LAS CRUCES, N.M. – A hot first half shooting from pretty much everywhere on the floor wasn't enough to outweigh early foul trouble for the Tennessee Tech men's basketball team (1-2) Wednesday evening, as New Mexico State (2-1) took home a 76-63 victory over the Golden Eagles in the Pan American Center in Las Cruces, N.M.
The Golden Eagles, who shot 44 percent from the field over the contest's first 20 minutes, held a 36-33 advantage at the break. Tech shot 46.2 percent from beyond the arc in the first half, knocking down six of its 13 3-point attempts.
However, two stats lines proved to be key for Tech down the stretch that New Mexico State would eventually take advantage of. In the first half, the Golden Eagles did not attempt a free throw, as opposed to 10 for the Aggies. The first half foul count ranked 10-3 in favor of New Mexico State. Also in the first stanza, the home squad out-rebounded TTU 27-16, a mark that would grow in the second half.
While New Mexico State couldn't make the Golden Eagles pay for the fouls on the charity stripe – hitting just 3-of-10 in the first half and 6-for-13 in the game – the Aggies forced Tech's post players into early foul trouble. Ryan Martin earned two quick fouls, sending him to the bench for the half after just six minutes of action.
Fellow senior Anthony Morse, who dominated the opening six minutes with four points, five rebounds and two blocks, also was forced to the pine early, playing just eight minutes of first half action due to three fouls. Mason Ramsey was held to seven minutes in the first period after drawing three fouls as well.
Both Morse and Ramsey totaled just 13 minutes apiece, with Morse fouling out of the contest with just under five minutes to play. Martin also fouled out of the contest, heading to the bench with less than three minutes left.
With the TTU frontcourt residing mostly off the court, sophomore Aggie Pascal Siakam took advantage, scoring 30 points and hauling in 11 rebounds to lead all players in the contest. The New Mexico State squad as a whole also used its size advantage to out-rebound Tech 49-28 in the match-up.
Tech did manage to hit 12-of-14 free throws in the second half, but saw its hot shooting cool off both from the field and beyond the arc. The Golden Eagles went 1-for-10 from 3-point land and 7-for-23 from the field in the final 20 minutes.
Originally scheduled for an 8 p.m. CST start, the contest was moved back an hour to 9 p.m. after the Golden Eagle squad was stranded in Trinidad, Colo. due to a blizzard that moved into the area following its contest at Air Force Monday evening.
Unable to practice Tuesday and forced to bus nearly eight hours straight to shoot around Wednesday, the Golden Eagles seemed to run short on energy as the game wore on.
Eleven of the 12 Tech players that saw the floor Wednesday evening scored at least two points, with senior guard Torrance Rowe leading the way with 13 on 4-for 10 shooting. Fellow senior Josiah Moore also scored in double figures, posting 10 points while hauling in five boards.
Freshman Courtney Alexander II, who played a season-high 22 minutes due to the foul trouble of his fellow post players, corralled a team-high seven rebounds while adding four points.
The Tennessee Tech squad will return to Cookeville for a five-game home stand beginning Tuesday, Nov. 24 with a match-up with Jackson State at 6 p.m. CST.
Photo by Jim Dillon
