By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech men's basketball team will get one final tune-up before it kicks off its 2023-24 campaign next week, hitting the road for Clarksville, Tenn. and a Wednesday charity exhibition tilt against former Ohio Valley Conference rival Austin Peay.
The event, which features a 7:00 p.m. CT tip at Gary Mathews Court at F&M Bank Arena, will not be ticketed. Instead, fans will be encouraged to donate to Operation Stand Down Tennessee upon entry. Fans unable to attend the event in person can follow the action live on ESPN+ with Barry Gresham and Ethan Schmidt providing coverage.
Wednesday's match-up will mark the first time the two programs square off in any manner since the Govs' departure from the OVC following the 2021-22 season. That year, both sides captured victories on the other's home court, but the Golden Eagles got the final word in, besting Austin Peay, 78-51, in the first round of the OVC Tournament in Evansville, Ind.
The contest will represent Tech's second exhibition of the preseason after hosting UT Southern at the Hooper Eblen Center in Cookeville last Thursday as part of it annual Purple Palooza event. The visiting Firehawks topped the purple and gold, 74-70, in a game that saw Tech struggle at the free-throw line to the tune of a 12-for-25 showing.
Leading a class of 11 newcomers for the Cookeville crew, West Virginia transfer Josiah Davis tied for the team lead with 16 points, shooting 6-of-9 from the field. Tech's lone member of the Preseason All-OVC Team, returning senior Jayvis Harvey also tallied 16 points in the affair.
Local Celina native Grant Strong contributed 14 points to the mix while senior veteran Diante Wood paced the team's efforts on the boards with seven rebounds.
Proceeds from Wednesday's charity exhibition against the Govs will benefit Operation Stand Down Tennessee, which is the only comprehensive Veteran-serving agency in Middle Tennessee connecting Veterans with careers, community, and crisis services.
Season tickets for Tennessee Tech men's basketball are now on sale. To order, call 931-372-3940, visit the Hooper Eblen Center ticket office, or visit TTUSports.com.
Photo by Jim Dillon
