By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech men's basketball team will feature a rematch with North Alabama in the Hooper Eblen Center Saturday afternoon, squaring off with the Lions for the second time in less than three weeks with a 3:00 p.m. CT tilt.
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+.
Prior to this season's meeting on Nov. 30, the two programs had not competed with each other since the 1950-51 campaign, which boasted the only contests in the series. The two sides split the pair, with North Alabama (Florence State back then) claiming the inaugural meeting in the season opener in Cookeville, 57-56. Tech bounced back to take down the Lions in the rematch later in the season, also in Cookeville, topping the visitors 63-54.
In this year's earlier match-up in Florence, Ala., Tech looked strong in the opening half, taking as much as an eight-point and heading into the locker room with a 38-32 lead. The Lions bounced back in a massive way offensively in the second half, exploding for 54 points to secure an 86-71 win over the Golden Eagles.
Golden Eagle senior guard Jayvis Harvey dropped a career-high 25 points on 9-for-14 efficiency, sinking three attempts from downtown while dishing out a team-high four assists. Sophomore forward Daniel Egbuniwe flirted with his second straight double-double, concluding the evening with 16 points, eight boards, and three dimes.
Junior guard David Early chipped in 13 points to the effort while sophomore center David Craig enjoyed his best showing in the purple and gold with nine points and five boards. Rookie forward Rylee Samons added six points to the mix with a couple of makes from beyond the arc.
On Tuesday, the purple and gold took on in-state foe Bethel, rebounding from a slow start for an 81-74 victory in the Hoop. Harvey and Early delivered monster performances to lead the effort for the Cookeville crew on the night, combining for 50 of the team's 81 points.
Early led the way with 26 points on 8-for-15 shooting, a 4-for-8 showing from deep, and a perfect 6-for-6 display from the charity stripe. He also chipped in five rebounds, five assists, and three steals.
Thanks to 9-of-14 efficiency from the field, Harvey dropped 24 points with a 6-for-9 explosion from beyond the arc. The Tech veteran also dished out a team-high six dimes and racked up three steals.
Sophomore guard Josiah Davis joined the double-digit scoring squad, securing 11 points on 4-for-8 shooting with a monster, dunk that put a Wildcat on a poster. Egbuniwe locked down team-highs of seven boards and four steals while contributing eight points and two blocks.
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
