By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech men's basketball team finally makes its return to the comfort of the Hooper Eblen Center Sunday afternoon, snapping a 30-plus day stretch on the road with a 1:00 p.m. CT match-up against Milligan College.
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+.
Sunday's match-up marks the 12th in program history between Tech and Milligan, with the Golden Eagles holding a decisive, 10-1 advantage. After falling in the inaugural meeting between the two programs in a 28-25 affair back during the 1924-25 season, the purple and gold have claimed each of the past 10 match-ups.
In the most recent tilt, back on Nov. 25, 2002, Tech cruised to a 99-67 victory in the Hoop. Prior to that contest, the two sides hadn't squared off since the 1980s, a pair of Golden Eagle blowout victories.
Milligan enters Sunday's contest after dropping an exhibition affair at Western Carolina back on Thursday, Dec. 19. The Catamounts defeated the Buffaloes 78-69 in Cullowhee, N.C., need a second-half comeback to overcome a 35-29 deficit.
The Golden Eagles head into the tilt after snapping a four-game skid with a 79-73 triumph at Lindenwood on Dec. 19. While closing its five-game stretch on the road, one that saw the purple and gold go more than a full month between home games, the Cookeville crew picked up its first Ohio Valley Conference win of the year as well.
Tech led for the majority of the contest, including a 13-point advantage with a little under 10 minutes to play. The Lions pulled back to within two and had a chance to tie the game with 59 seconds to play, but missed back-to-back free throws.
The purple and gold called for a timeout and drew up a great play for senior forward Rodney Johnson Jr. The veteran delivered a highlight-reel dunk in traffic to make it a four-point game and all but clinch a purple and gold victory with 41 seconds to play.
Topping the scoring charts on the night with a career-high 22 points, junior guard Jaylon Johnson tallied a pair of treys with six free throws and seven assists in 38 minutes of action. Senior guard Matthew Sells closed his night with 12 points and a pair of dimes.
Sophomore guard Kyle Layton tacked on 11 points with a team-high three steals in the affair, draining a trio of triples and snagging four boards. Junior forward Ola Ajiboye just missed a double-double, ending his night with season-highs of 10 points and nine rebounds. He also dished out three assists.
Johnson Jr. produced nine points while snagging seven boards and two steals. In just over 15 minutes off the bench, junior guard Ray Glasgow turned in nine points and six rebounds. Sophomore forward JaJuan Nicholls chipped in six points and four boards off the bench 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 Thomas Corhern
