By Jeff Bowe, TTU Athletics Media Relations
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — JaJuan Nicholls scored a game-high 23 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, but Tennessee Tech came up just short in a 60-54 loss to Eastern Illinois on Saturday afternoon at the Eblen Center.
The Golden Eagles (10-15, 5-9 OVC) erased a 17-point second-half deficit and pulled even late, but Eastern Illinois (10-15, 6-8) sealed the game at the free-throw line in the final two minutes. The loss snaps a three-game winning streak for the Golden Eagles and puts them two games out of the final OVC Tournament spot (9th) with six games left in the regular season.
Nicholls finished 9-of-16 (56.2%) from the field and added six offensive rebounds as Tech dominated stretches in the paint. Jacobe Whitted added 10 points, while Ja'Quavian Florence scored seven off the bench. Brandon Muntu chipped in five points, including a game-tying 3-pointer with 3:22 remaining.
Tech struggled offensively in the opening half, shooting just 30.0 percent from the field and 1 of 9 from beyond the arc. Eastern Illinois capitalized on turnovers and transition opportunities to build a 31-19 halftime lead.
The Golden Eagles responded after the break, shooting 42.3 percent in the second half and gradually cutting into the deficit behind Nicholls' interior scoring and second-chance points. Tennessee Tech pulled within 50-47 on a basket by Ty Owens with 5:04 left and tied the game at 52-all when Muntu connected from the top of the key.
EIU answered with a late run fueled by free throws, converting eight of its final nine attempts. TTU was held scoreless from the field over the final 1:48.
The Golden Eagles finished 17 of 46 (37.0 percent) from the floor and just 3 of 20 (15.0 percent) from 3-point range, but went 17 of 20 at the free-throw line.
Tech outrebounded Eastern Illinois 37-25 and scored 12 second-chance points, but committed 21 turnovers that led to 16 points the other way.
NEXT UP
Tennessee Tech continues OVC play at Morehead State (2/12) and Southern Indiana (2/14) next week and then returns home to face SIUE on Thursday, Feb. 19, and Lindenwood for Senior Day on Saturday, Feb. 21.
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