By Jeff Bowe, TTU Athletics Media Relations
EVANSVILLE, Ind. - JaJuan Nicholls scored 15 points, and Tennessee Tech placed five players in double figures Saturday afternoon as the Golden Eagles pulled away late for an 82-74 Ohio Valley Conference victory over Southern Indiana at Liberty Arena.
Tennessee Tech (11-16, 6-10 OVC) shot 54.4% from the field and outscored Southern Indiana 47-42 in the second half snap a two-game losing skid and grab a series split against USI.
Nicholls finished 6 of 9 from the floor and added six rebounds, including several key second-chance buckets during a pivotal stretch midway through the second half. C.J. McPherson also scored 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting, while Mekhi Cameron added 15 points, Ty Owens chipped in 13 and Dani Pounds had 14 points and nine rebounds to round out the Golden Eagles' balanced attack.
Tech led 35-32 at halftime after closing the opening period on a 10-3 spurt. Cameron buried a 3-pointer in the final minute of the half to give the Golden Eagles a three-point edge at the break.
Southern Indiana (5-21, 2-14) battled back and briefly regained the lead midway through the second half. After the Screaming Eagles went in front 50-45, Tech answered with a 7-0 run highlighted by a Cameron 3-pointer and a transition layup from McPherson to seize a 52-50 advantage.
The game featured 10 lead changes and nine ties before the Golden Eagles created separation in the final four minutes. Cameron converted two free throws and McPherson followed with a jumper to stretch the margin to six. Pounds then punctuated the surge with a dunk off an assist from Owens, pushing the lead to 74-66 with 2:26 remaining.
THROW IT DOWN DANI POUNDS! ��
— TTU Men's Basketball (@TTU_Basketball) February 14, 2026
Tech 74, USI 66 - 2nd half (2:26)#WingsUp pic.twitter.com/Xg3MoRfUM5
Tech dominated inside, outscoring Southern Indiana 48-28 in the paint and holding a 37-28 rebounding advantage. The Golden Eagles also received 32 points from their bench.
Ismail Habib led Southern Indiana with 17 points, while Amaree Brown added 15.
Tennessee Tech sealed the win at the foul line, going 15 of 19 from the stripe, including key makes in the final minute.
NEXT UP
The Golden Eagles sit one game out of the final OVC Tournament spot in ninth and return home for the final two games at Eblen Center this season. Tech hosts SIUE on Thursday, Feb. 19 at 7:30 p.m., and Lindenwood for Senior Day on Friday, Feb. 21 at 3 p.m.
