By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech men's basketball team will make the highly familiar trek west to Murray, Ky. Friday evening, squaring off with former Ohio Valley Conference rival Murray State at the CFSB Center in a 7:00 p.m. CT affair.
The action can be followed live via radio with Roger Ealey on the call on 106.1 The Eagle. Fans can also view the action live on ESPN+.
The contest will mark Tech's first against the Racers since their departure for the Missouri Valley Conference following the 2021-22 season. Murray State won each of the final two meetings with the Golden Eagles that year, including an 80-75 decision in Cookeville in the final match-up.
The most recent win for the Golden Eagles in the series came on Feb. 27, 2021, in a 71-61 decision in the Hooper Eblen Center.
Tech heads to Murray after falling to No. 9 nationally-ranked Tennessee in the season opener Monday evening in Knoxville. The Volunteers defeated the purpled and gold, 80-42, at Thompson-Boling Arena.
Sophomore guard Josiah Davis led the purple and gold offensively, scoring 13 points with three boards in his first official game with the Golden Eagles. Junior guard David Early chipped in nine points while leading the Tech crew with four assists.
Rodney Johnson Jr. turned in eight points and six rebounds in his Tech debut, finishing a perfect 4-for-4 from the charity stripe. Senior veteran Diante Wood paced the Golden Eagles with seven rebounds while adding four points. Making their collegiate debuts were rookies Kyle Layton, scoring two points with an assist, and Rylee Samons, hauling in a pair of boards.
The Racers opened their 2023-24 campaign with a decisive home win over Midway, a future opponent of the Golden Eagles. Murray State saw seven players finish a 91-58 victory in double figures, led by former Eastern Illinois forward Nick Ellington and his 22 points and 12 rebounds.
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 Thomas Corhern
