By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech men's basketball team wraps up non-conference action with a familiar visit to the Ford Center in Evansville, Ind., taking on the Evansville Purple Aces in a 7:00 p.m. CT affair Wednesday evening.
The action can be followed live via radio with Mike Lehman on the call on 106.1 The Eagle while video coverage of the contest will be available on ESPN+.
Wednesday's match-up represents the 16th between the two programs, with the Purple Aces holding a decisive, 12-3 advantage, including an 8-1 lead when competing in Evansville. Tech's last victory was a 72-70 decision in Evansville back on Dec. 17, 2011. The Purple Aces have captured each of the past two meetings, including a 59-51 dogfight in Evansville back on Dec. 4, 2021.
In the two squads' most recent tilt, Jr. Clay represented Tech's leading scorer, posting 15 points in the 59-51 loss. John Pettway added 10 points off the bench to round out the double-digit scoring efforts. Current senior guard Diante Wood hauled in seven rebounds in the contest with four points.
Tech's last visit to the Ford Center was one to remember, as the Golden Eagles came about an inch from capturing its first Ohio Valley Conference Tournament crown and first bid to the NCAA Tournament since 1963. Battling Southeast Missouri in the title game, Wood hauled in a full-court pass from Jaylen Sebree, turned around, and buried what appeared to be a game-winning trey at the buzzer.
Upon further review, Wood's toe was just barely on the 3-point arc, resulting in two points, a tie game, and an overtime period in Evansville. The Redhawks went on to defeat the Golden Eagles in overtime, 89-82, to earn its first title since 2000.
On Saturday, Tech turned in a remarkable comeback victory over North Alabama in the Hooper Eblen Center, ending the contest on an 11-0 run for a 70-67 triumph. After calling their final timeout of the ball game with just over four minutes to play, the Golden Eagles held the Lions without a bucket the remainder of the way while sinking all five of their attempts and a free throw.
Junior guard David Early led the Golden Eagles with a game-high 21 points, finishing 7-for-11 from the field and 5-for-7 from the charity stripe. Senior guard Jayvis Harvey turned in 18 points with a 5-for-6 showing from the free-throw line, adding four rebounds, and four assists to the mix. He also hit the game-winning bucket with a crafty spin move to open himself up for a layup.
Also contributing with double figures in the scoring column, sophomore guard Josiah Davis chipped in 10 points while hitting six of his seven free-throw tries. Sophomore guard Daniel Egbuniwe notched nine points with four boards, two dimes, and a pair of steals.
Back in the lineup after missing the previous five games due to illness, junior forward Rodney Johnson Jr. dominated the glass for the Golden Eagles, hauling in a season-high 12 rebounds with six points. Wood rounded out his day with six points, four assists, and a pair of blocks.
On Monday, Early was recognized as the OVC Newcomer of the Week by the league, his first honor as a Golden Eagle. The Logan, W.Va. native averaged 23.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.5 steals per game in a pair of Tech wins.
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
