By Jeff Bowe, TTU Athletics Media Relations
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — JaJuan Nicholls surpassed 500 career points and recorded his third double-double of the season with 20 points and 15 rebounds to lead Tennessee Tech to a 62-52 victory over SIUE on Thursday night at the Eblen Center.
Nicholls finished 7-of-13 from the floor and 6-of-7 at the free-throw line, dominating the paint on both ends as the Golden Eagles (12-16, 7-10 OVC) erased a two-point halftime deficit with a strong defensive second half. Nicholls is the first Golden Eagle to record 15-plus rebounds since Grant Slatten grabbed 15 against Kentucky Christian on Dec. 20, 2022.
Tech trailed 28-26 at the break after SIUE (17-11, 10-7) knocked down a 3-pointer at the buzzer to close the opening period. The Cougars built their largest lead of the half at 14-6 following a 10-0 run midway through the first 20 minutes, fueled by second-chance points and transition buckets.
Nicholls kept Tech within striking distance late in the half, scoring on a pull-up jumper with 2:09 remaining and helping the Golden Eagles tie the game at 25 on a pair of Mekhi Cameron free throws in the final minute before SIUE's late triple. Cameron reached 400-career points, finishing with nine.
The Golden Eagles found their rhythm early in the second half. Ty Owens scored on back-to-back pull-up jumpers to trim the deficit to one, and Nicholls converted a second-chance layup at the 17:24 mark to give Tech a 32-31 edge. Owens became the first Golden Eagle this season and the first since Jayvis Harvey on Feb. 22, 2024, to play all 40 minutes.
O-board and JAJUAN!!
— TTU Men's Basketball (@TTU_Basketball) February 20, 2026
��: @ESPNPlus #WingsUp pic.twitter.com/nGLRdxsehm
After SIUE briefly regained the lead, Nicholls took control. He scored on consecutive possessions — first a layup in traffic, then a tip-in off his own miss at 14:57 — to put Tech ahead 38-36. He added a free throw to complete the three-point play and spark a decisive stretch.
Owens followed with a steal and a fast-break dunk to extend the lead to 41-36. Later, Slatten buried a second-chance 3-pointer at the 7:08 mark to cap a 9-0 run that gave Tech its largest lead to that point at 52-42.
Tech's defense held SIUE to 32.4 percent shooting in the second half and just 3 of 23 from beyond the arc for the game. The Golden Eagles controlled the glass, outrebounding the Cougars 47-35 and converting 16 second-chance points.
Owens added 12 points and a career-high seven rebounds, while Cameron contributed nine points — including an 8-for-8 performance at the free-throw line in the second half — to help seal the win. Brandon Muntu chipped in seven points and a career-high eight rebounds.
Nicholls secured his double-double emphatically in the closing seconds, grabbing his 15th rebound before knocking down two free throws with 25 seconds remaining to stretch the lead to 61-50 and put the game out of reach.
The Golden Eagles remain squarely in contention for the 8th, and final, spot in the OVC Tournament with the win.
NEXT UP
The Golden Eagles close out the regular-season home slate Saturday against Lindenwood at 3 p.m. on Senior Day at the Eblen Center. The Golden Eagles will honor seniors Mekhi Cameron, Grant Slatten, Ja'Quavian Florence, Brandon Muntu, and Owen Varnado before the game.
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Tickets for Tennessee Tech Men's Basketball are on sale now – call (931) 372-3940, visit the Hooper Eblen Center ticket office, or order online at TTUsports.com.
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