By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech men's basketball team continues its four-game road stretch through Ohio Valley Conference play Saturday afternoon with a 3:30 p.m. CT matinee at in-state rival UT Martin in the Elam Center.
The action can be followed live via radio with Dylan Vazzano on the call on 106.1 The Eagle while video coverage of the contest will be provided on ESPN+.
Saturday's match-up marks the 62nd in program history between Tech and UT Martin. The Golden Eagles own a commanding, 42-19 advantage in the series, including a 17-11 lead when competing in Martin.
UT Martin has won three of the past four tilts between the two programs, including both affairs last season. The Skyhawks topped Tech 81-73 in the Eblen Center last season, sinking 11-of-28 tries from downtown to take the win. Kyle Layton went 3-for-4 from distance on his way to 13 points for Tech while Rodney Johnson Jr. added 13 points, six rebounds, and four blocks to the mix.
In the rematch in Martin on Feb. 29, the Skyhawks used 28 points from Jordan Sears and 70 points from their starting lineup to claim an 80-69 decision in the Elam Center. Layton tacked on 10 points and five rebounds in the tilt while Daniel Egbuniwe just missed out on a double-double with nine points, and 11 boards.
UT Martin enters Saturday's contest following a thrilling, overtime loss on the road at Tennessee State Tuesday evening. The Tigers' Knute Wood buried a go-ahead triple with 15 seconds to play in the extra session, providing the 81-80 win for the home squad. This season, each of UT Martin's four OVC losses has come by just a single point, including overtime decisions at Morehead State (70-69) and at TSU.
Tech takes on its in-state rival after dropping its fourth straight contest Thursday evening, falling to Tennessee State in Nashville, 89-77. The Golden Eagles were spectacular in the opening stanza, scoring a season-high 49 points while closing the half on a 13-2 run.
The Tigers responded in the second half, opening things with a 13-0 run before holding Tech to just 30 points and scoring 49 of their own. After scoring 16 fast-break points in the first half, TSU held the Golden Eagles to just two in the second period, as well as 35.3 percent shooting and a 2-for-12 mark from beyond the arc.
Sophomore guard Kyle Layton produced a remarkable performance with a career-high 20 points and a 7-for-7 showing at the charity stripe. The sharpshooter drilled a trio of triples in the contest while mixing in two assists and two steals.
Junior forward Ola Ajiboye chipped in 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds in 22 minutes off the bench, finishing 6-for-7 from the floor with two blocks. Junior guard Jaylon Johnson tallied 11 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists.
Sparta native Grant Slatten provided nine points on 4-for-7 efficiency off the bench while sophomore forward JaJuan Nicholls scored seven points on 3-for-6 shooting. Ray Glasgow ended the evening with six points, five boards, and four dimes off the pine.
Photo by Jim Dillon
