By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech men's basketball team hits the road for the first time in Ohio Valley Conference play this season, making the familiar trip north to take on Morehead State in a 6:00 p.m. CT contest in Morehead, Ky.
The action can be followed live via radio with Roger Ealey on the call on 106.1 The Eagle while video coverage of the contest will be available on ESPN+.
Thursday's match-up represents the 162nd meeting all-time between the two programs, with Morehead State holding a 93-68 advantage in the series. When competing in Morehead, the Eagles boast a 52-16 lead between the longtime foes.
The two rivals met twice during the 2022-23 campaign, splitting the season series with each side capturing victory on their home floor. In last year's match-up in Cookeville, Tech claimed a 79-62 advantage, hitting an elite 13-of-22 attempts from distance. Jaylen Sebree led the way with 20 points while Ty Perry poured in 14 and current senior guard Erik Oliver chipped in 12 points off the bench.
Morehead State got its revenge on its home court of Johnson Arena, securing a 64-45 victory to even the season series. Sebree again paced the Tech effort on his previous home floor, totaling 16 points and seven rebounds. This time around, the Golden Eagles were limited to just two makes from downtown on 12 attempts.
On Saturday, the Golden Eagles fell to in-state rival UT Martin in the Hooper Eblen Center, 81-73. Offensive struggles to start each half for the purple and gold proved too much to overcome as the Skyhawks held off a late run by the home squad.
Senior guard Jayvis Harvey tallied 22 points on 7-for-14 shooting to lead the Golden Eagles, sinking three treys and 5-of-6 free throws. He added five boards and three assists to the mix as well. Fellow senior guard Diante Wood turned in his best offensive showing of the season, exploding for 18 points on 5-for-8 efficiency with an 8-for-9 performance at the line.
Rookie guard Kyle Layton was clutch off the bench, burying a trio of huge triples on four attempts on his way to a season-high 13 points. He chipped in a pair of assists as well. Junior forward Rodney Johnson Jr. delivered 13 points, six boards, and a career-high four blocks while sophomore forward Daniel Egbuniwe finished the day with five points, seven rebounds, and two rejections.
Following Thursday's tilt, the Golden Eagles will head back to Evansville, Ind., squaring off with Southern Indiana in a 7:30 p.m. affair.
Photo by Jim Dillon
