By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
MARTIN, Tenn. – In what could easily go down as one of the best offensive performances of the season, the Tennessee Tech men's basketball team just couldn't quite outduel a red-hot UT Martin offense Wednesday night, as the Skyhawks (10-8, 2-1) defeated the Golden Eagles (12-6, 4-1), 96-90, in an old-fashioned Ohio Valley Conference shootout.
Tech simply could do no wrong in the first half, hitting 18 of its 21 field goal attempts, including a nearly perfect 7-for-8 showing from downtown. On the flip side, UT Martin kept pace from deep, sinking 8-of-11 while also making eight other field goals. Heading into the break, the Golden Eagles held the advantage, 46-41.
While neither side could quite live up to their respective first-half fireworks shows, it was the hometown Skyhawks that stayed hot from deep, draining eight more 3-pointers on 14 attempts. Tech sunk just 3-of-16 from deep over the final 20 minutes, but kept pace on offense thanks to a dominating attack inside the paint.
Golden Eagle senior Ryan Martin dropped 16 of his 22 points and hauled in seven of his nine rebounds on the night in the second half, putting the Tech offense on his back and keeping it within distance of the Skyhawks down the stretch.
UT Martin jumped out quickly in the second half, turning a five-point deficit into an 11-point lead over the first eight minutes. Even with Tech defenders all over the Skyhawk shooters, the home squad continued to hit shots.
Tech never gave up, closing to within two points with two minutes to play after an old-fashioned three-point play by Martin. After the Skyhawks pushed the lead back to seven points, sophomore Aleksa Jugovic drained his fifth trey of the night, grabbing a quick pass off an inbound from Anthony Morse and unleashing to bring the score back to within four.
It was as close as the visitors would get, however, as UT Martin drained its free throws down the stretch to claim the close-fought contest.
Jugovic led all scorers on the night, dropping 25 points on 10-for-13 shooting, including a 5-for-7 showing beyond the arc. The guard kicked off the contest a perfect 6-of-6 from the field, hitting all four of his 3-point attempts in the opening half. He also dished out three assists.
Martin, Tech's senior from London, was a beast down low, dropping 22 points and corralling nine rebounds on 9-for-13 shooting. Junior Hakeem Rogers added 16 points off the bench, sinking three treys on the night and hitting all three of his free throw attempts.
Senior Anthony Morse was nearly perfect from the field, connecting on six of his seven field goal attempts for 15 points. He also recorded his 88th block of his career, moving into sole possession of fifth place in program history. The big man added four boards as well.
Playing all 40 minutes for the third straight game, senior Torrance Rowe posted 10 points while also racking up four dimes.
UT Martin's Alex Anderson and Jacolby Mobley each scored 20 points on the night, combining for 10 of their team's 16 makes from downtown. Twymond Howard added 19 points and Richard Lee scored 18. Myles Taylor posted 15 points and a team-high six rebounds.
The Golden Eagles will return home to Cookeville for the first time in three games Saturday to take on Southeast Missouri in a 7:30 p.m. CST tilt, capping off an OVC doubleheader against the Redhawks.
The event features some special promotions, including Cumberland County and White County Night, with one dollar admission available to residents of those two neighboring counties. It is also Youth Basketball Night, with free admission to youth players and coaches, and three dollar tickets available to family members of the youth players.
For ticket information, visit or call the Athletics Ticket Office in Eblen Center (931-372-3940).
Photo by Alex Boggis, UT Martin Sports Information
