Golden Eagles look to continue winning ways in ESPNU contest
January 27, 2012

Golden Eagles look to continue winning ways in ESPNU contest

Tennessee Tech will attempt to win its third consecutive game and sweep what is known around the Ohio Valley Conference as the ‘Death Valley’ road trip when it faces Morehead State at 2 p.m. CST Saturday. The game will be nationally televised on ESPNU.

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Tech coaching staff will participate in Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers awareness weekend

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COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech will attempt to win its third consecutive game and sweep what is known around the Ohio Valley Conference as the 'Death Valley' road trip when it faces Morehead State at 2 p.m. CST Saturday. The game will be nationally televised on ESPNU.

The Golden Eagles are coming off two of their most complete games of the season in victories over two squads in the OVC's upper echelon, beginning with a 77-62 victory over Southeast Missouri at home on Jan. 21 and culminating in Thursday's 82-65 victory at Eastern Kentucky, in which senior guard Kevin Murphy scored a career-high 34 points.

With the victory, Tech moved into sole possession of third place in the OVC at 13-8 overall and 5-3 in the league. Coming into Saturday's action, the Golden Eagles are one game back of Southeast Missouri in second. Morehead State enters the contest at 11-11 overall and 4-4 in conference play.

During the game, Tech's coaches will participate in the Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers awareness weekend, a collaborative initiative between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). The Golden Eagle staff will wear sneakers instead of dress shoes with their shoes in order to demonstrate their support. Fans may support this cause by texting COACH to 20222 from any wireless phone to make a $5.00 donation toward Coaches vs. Cancer and help in the search for a cure. For more information, visit the Coaches vs. Cancer Facebook page, facebook.com/coachesvscancer.

The game marks the first time the Golden Eagles will face an opponent for the second time this season. Tech won the first meeting between the two squads in Cookeville, 66-55, on Jan. 7.

Morehead State leads the all-time series over the Golden Eagles 73-61 and has controlled the series in recent years. Tech's victory earlier this month was its first after nine consecutive losses to the Eagles. Saturday's game marks the 136th all-time meeting between the teams, which first played one another in the 1949-50 season.

It was a strong defensive performance and 24 points from Murphy that led the Golden Eagles over Morehead State on Jan. 7. Tech held the Eagles to 55 points in the game, the lowest offensive output to which the Golden Eagles have held an opponent this season. Murphy buried six three-pointers and dished out six assists in the win.

The Golden Eagles continue to feature the No. 3 scoring duo in NCAA Division in Murphy (20.0 ppg) and Jud Dillard (18.0 ppg), who combine to average 38.0 points per contest. Murphy leads the OVC in scoring while Dillard leads the conference in rebounding (8.7 per game). Zac Swansey also leads the conference in both assists (5.6 per game) and steals (2.5 per game).

Morehead State is led in scoring by Ty Proffitt, who averages 9.8 points per contest. The Eagles' leading scorer, Terrance Hill, suffered a season-ending injury in early January. Hill was averaging 13.3 points per contest. Morehead State also gets strong production from Drew Kelly (9.5 ppg) and Marsell Holden (8.6 ppg).

In addition to live broadcast on ESPNU and a live webstream on ESPN3.com, Saturday's game will be broadcast on the Golden Eagle Sports Network, WHUB AM 1400 and on the Internet at www.1400TheHub.com. Fans can also listen via Teamline by calling (216) 502-3200 and entering team code 0654. Cost is $5 per call.