By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – After helping the Tennessee Tech men's basketball team knock off the previously top two ranked teams in the Ohio Valley Conference last week, three members of the Golden Eagle squad were properly recognized for their efforts by the league.
Senior Torrance Rowe took home his third adidas® OVC Player of the Week honors of the season while senior Ryan Martin and junior Hakeem Rogers shared the honor of adidas® OVC Newcomer of the Week. It marked Martin's fourth such accolade of the season and Roger's second.
Rowe kept his incredible season rolling by averaging 22.5 points and 3.5 rebounds while playing 39 minutes per game. Against Tennessee State, the senior scored 19 points and dished four assists while shooting 46 percent from the field. He hit the game-winning free throws with 0.5 seconds left on the clock to give Tech the victory. In handing Belmont its first OVC loss, the guard scored a game-high 26 points, connecting on four 3-pointers, including one that gave the Golden Eagles the lead for good. He sank 6-of-7 free throws, grabbed four rebounds and doled out three dimes as well.
Martin continued his fantastic play in the paint, recording his sixth and seventh double-doubles of the season while averaging 17.5 points and 13.5 rebounds per game. Facing the Tigers, the senior came up huge on the boards, grabbing seven offensive rebounds and 14 total while scoring 17 points. He sunk 6-of-8 free throw attempts while dishing out a career-high four assists. Against a Belmont squad undefeated in the OVC, he notched 18 points on 50 percent shooting while hauling in 13 more rebounds. He also went a perfect 9-for-9 from the charity stripe.
Rogers played a pivotal role off the bench, averaging 21.5 points on 60 percent shooting. Against the Tigers, the junior scored a career-high 23 points on 7-for-11 shooting while draining 4-of-6 from 3-point range. He added 20 more points to help end Belmont's perfect season in OVC play, draining 7 of his 12 shots from the field. He sank all four of his free throw attempts as well and recorded a career-high three steals in the affair.
The Golden Eagles will return to action Saturday, Feb. 6 with a road game at Jacksonville State. Tip is schedule for 4:30 p.m. CST.
Photos by Tony Marable
