By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech men's basketball team kicks off a two-game home stand for the week with an in-state match-up against Bethel University Tuesday evening, squaring off with the Wildcats in a 6:00 p.m. CT affair in the Hooper Eblen Center.
The action can be followed live via radio with Roger Ealey and Frank Harrell on the call on 106.1 The Eagle while Dylan Vazzano and Steve Smith will provide video coverage of the contest on ESPN+.
Tuesday's tilt will represent the 15th all-time between the two in-state foes, with Tech boasting a decisive 12-2 advantage when the teams meet. Bethel managed wins in the first-ever contest in 1924-25 and again in 1926-27, but the Golden Eagles own each of the past nine victories in the series.
The Cookeville crew is a known 6-0 at home against the Wildcats and boasts a win on a neutral floor. Tech is also 5-2 against Bethel in venues unable to be determined. The Golden Eagles easily defeated the visitors from McKenzie, Tenn. in their most recent match-up, a 110-54 victory on Dec. 9, 1995.
On Sunday, Tech dropped a heartbreaker at in-state rival ETSU, falling to the Buccaneers, 73-72, in Johnson City. The Golden Eagles very nearly sent the game to overtime, as junior guard David Early's 3-point attempt to tie the contest missed the rim and senior guard Diante Wood was there for a put-back layup. The officials deemed no foul on the play and the Bucs held on for the one-point victory.
Several Golden Eagles put forth strong individual efforts in the contest, led by senior guard Jayvis Harvey. The veteran dropped 20 points with five rebounds and four assists, sinking 8-of-10 tries from the charity stripe.
Sophomore guard Josiah Davis delivered another efficient performance for the purple and gold, producing a career-high 15 points on 5-for-7 shooting. Draining all five of his free-throw attempts, he also chipped in four rebounds.
Early turned in a pair of steals and four rebounds to go along with 13 points while Wood tacked on 11 points on 5-for-6 shooting from the line in his return to the court. Wood missed the previous seven games due to a lower-body injury.
Leading the purple and gold in rebounds with eight was sophomore forward Daniel Egbuniwe, who added five points, two assists, two steals, and a block to the mix as well.
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
