By Jeff Bowe, TTU Athletics Media Relations
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Tech turned another hot-shooting night into its third straight victory, rolling past Western Illinois 97–72 Thursday night at the Eblen Center.
The Golden Eagles seized control early and never let go, erupting for 53 first-half points and building a commanding 53–30 halftime lead behind relentless pace, ball movement, and perimeter shooting. Tech finished the night at 59.6 percent from the field and 16-of-27 from three-point range, overwhelming the Leathernecks from start to finish.
Tech continues to have a hot hand from the field, shooting 59.6 percent (34-57) overall, including 59.3 percent (16-27) from long distance. The Golden Eagles were dominant on the boards, winning that battle 34 to 21 in the 25-point victory. The 16 made three-pointers surpassed the 15 made at TSU on Monday for the most this season. It's tied for the second-most made in a single game in program history (3x; last vs. Warren Wilson College, 12/6/18), and it ties the most made against a Division I opponent (16 vs. Charleston Southern, 12/28/99).
After Western Illinois briefly led 2–0, Tech answered with a decisive early surge. JaJuan Nicholls ignited the run with back-to-back baskets inside, and Ty Owens buried an early three to spark an offense that scored on nine of its first 12 possessions. A pair of triples from Brandon Muntu midway through the half stretched the margin into double figures, and the Golden Eagles kept pressing.
Tech blew the game open in the final six minutes of the first half, closing on a 17–5 run. Owens capped the stretch with a late three and two free throws, sending the Golden Eagles into the breakup 23 points while holding Western Illinois to 41.7 percent shooting.
Any thought of a second-half rally was quickly erased. Mekhi Cameron opened the period with a driving finish and later knocked down a three as Tech pushed the lead past 25. Moments later, Nicholls threw down a dunk off a turnover, part of an 8–0 burst that ballooned the advantage to 64–37.
Can't stop Cameron ��
— TTU Men's Basketball (@TTU_Basketball) February 6, 2026
��: @ESPNPlus #WingsUp pic.twitter.com/CHH4U0pHKD
From there, it became a showcase of depth. Muntu continued his sharp shooting from deep, Owens mixed in finishes at the rim and step-back threes, and Tech's bench poured in 47 points on the night. The Golden Eagles led by as many as 37 midway through the second half and cruised home from there.
Five Golden Eagles scored in double figures, led by Nicholls' 14 points in just 14 minutes while leading the team in rebounds with seven. Muntu and Owens each added 13, while Ja'Quavian Florence chipped in 13 off the bench and Dani Pounds added 12 on 4-of- 5 from the field. Tech assisted on 22 baskets, forced 15 turnovers, and controlled the glass with a 34–21 rebounding edge.
Florence is a MACHINE ⚙️
— TTU Men's Basketball (@TTU_Basketball) February 6, 2026
��: @ESPNPlus #WingsUp pic.twitter.com/XmKM6waSNQ
Western Illinois was led by Isaiah Griffin's 14 points and Francis Okwuosah's 17, but the Leathernecks were unable to keep pace with Tech's shooting and depth. WIU fell to 4–20 overall and 0–13 in OVC play.
The win lifts Tennessee Tech to 10–14 overall and 5–8 in the Ohio Valley Conference, continuing its late-season momentum with three straight victories.
97 points are the most the Golden Eagles have scored since dropping 101 on Bethel (Tenn.) earlier in the season. It's the most points scored against an OVC opponent since scoring 98 against SEMO in a 98-94 win on Feb. 17, 2022.
GOLDEN EAGLES WIN ��3️⃣ in a row!
— TTU Men's Basketball (@TTU_Basketball) February 6, 2026
Tech 97, WIU 72 - Final #WingsUp pic.twitter.com/R2vCcMtCkd
NEXT UP
Tennessee Tech hosts Eastern Illinois on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 3 p.m., looking for revenge after dropping a ten-point contest (71-61) on the road in early January.
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