By Jeff Bowe, TTU Athletics Media Relations
MOREHEAD, Ky - Tennessee Tech erased a 20-point second-half deficit and cut the margin to six in the final minute, but could not complete the comeback in a 73-66 loss to Morehead State on Thursday night at Johnson Arena.
Malik Ferguson led Tech (10-16, 5-10 OVC) with 15 points off the bench, while Ja'Quavian Florence added 11 and Dani Pounds and Jacobe Whitted chipped in 10 apiece. The Golden Eagles scored 44 points in the second half after managing just 22 before the break.
TTU struggled to find its rhythm early, missing its first 12 3-point attempts and shooting 31.3% in the opening half. Morehead State capitalized with a 9-0 run midway through the period and built a 34-22 halftime advantage behind efficient shooting and strong work on the glass.
The Eagles pushed their lead to 42-22 less than three minutes into the second half after an Anouar Mellouk hook shot capped a quick burst, but Tennessee Tech responded.
A 3-pointer from Mekhi Cameron ignited the rally, and the Golden Eagles began attacking the paint and forcing turnovers. Ferguson knocked down a pair of second-half threes, and Florence scored eight points after intermission. Pounds added a pair of momentum-swinging dunks in transition as Tech trimmed the deficit to single digits.
Trailing 57-46 midway through the half, Tech used an 8-2 run to close within five. Florence's layup with 6:20 remaining made it 57-50, and Ferguson later converted a jumper and two free throws to keep the pressure on.
Whitted buried a 3-pointer with 1:14 left to cut the margin to 67-61, but Morehead State answered at the free-throw line down the stretch. The Eagles shot 12 of 13 from the stripe in the second half and 15 of 18 for the game to seal it.
Jacobe Whitted for 3️⃣
— TTU Men's Basketball (@TTU_Basketball) February 13, 2026
MSU 67, Tech 61 - 2nd half (40.7)#WingsUp pic.twitter.com/ynz181FAGO
Tennessee Tech finished 25 of 63 (39.7%) from the field and 5 of 21 (23.8%) from 3-point range, but outscored Morehead State 36-36 in the paint and received 46 bench points. The Golden Eagles also turned 9 steals into 13 points off turnovers.
Jon Carroll paced Morehead State (14-12, 10-5) with 22 points and 10 rebounds.
NEXT UP
Tennessee Tech travels to Southern Indiana for a Saturday matchup in Evansville at 4 p.m. CT.
