By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – A complete team effort helped the Tennessee Tech men's basketball team fend off a pesky Southern Indiana squad in the Hooper Eblen Center Thursday evening, as the Golden Eagles edged the Screaming Eagles, 68-64.
The purple and gold led for much of the night, boasting an advantage for over 33 minutes in the tilt. Tech (7-7, 2-1) pushed out to as much as a 13-point lead in the opening half and held a steady advantage for the majority of the second half, eventually fending off a last-minute comeback bid by the visitors.
For the second straight game, Tech led the battle on the glass with a 47-42 advantage in the rebound department. The Golden Eagles knocked down nine more triples as well, making it all 14 games on the season with the team sinking at least eight 3-pointers.
Six different Golden Eagles scored at least eight points in the tilt, led by an impressive individual effort from junior forward Daniel Egbuniwe. The Memphis native delivered a double-double with 14 points and a career-high 14 rebounds, rejecting a game-high three shots for good measure. He also chipped in two steals and a pair of assists.
Matching the scoring effort of Egbuniwe, senior guard Matthew Sells turned in a season-high 14 points with three assists, sinking 4-of-8 attempts from downtown. Junior forward Ola Ajiboye just missed a double-double of his own, ending the evening 5-for-5 from the floor with 10 points, nine boards, four dimes, and three steals.
Junior guard Jaylon Johnson mixed in nine points and five rebounds to the effort while Sparta native Grant Slatten chipped in nine points on 4-for-5 shooting. Junior guard Ray Glasgow added eight points and three assists off the bench.
The Cookeville crew held off a late push by the Screaming Eagles and a couple of 20-point efforts in the contest. Stephen Olowoniyi led all scorers with 26 points to go with 13 rebounds for a double-double. Damoni Harrison notched 20 points for his squad.
The Golden Eagles will close out their three-game home stand with a Saturday matinee against longtime, Ohio Valley Conference rival Morehead State. Tip is set for 3:00 p.m. CT in the Eblen Center.
Photo by Jim Dillon
