In a shocking turn of events, Tennessee Tech, ranked 332 in the net rankings, pulled off a stunning 87-77 upset over Little Rock, ranked 303, at the Hooper Eblen Center. The 10-point margin of victory was a significant departure from the predicted score, with CHD Scout forecasting a narrow 74-72 win for Tennessee Tech by just 1.8 points. However, the Golden Eagles had other plans, dominating the second half to secure a crucial victory.
The game got off to a closely contested start, with Tennessee Tech taking a 40-35 lead into halftime. Brandon Muntu, the Golden Eagles' top performer, was unstoppable, scoring 26 points to lead his team to victory. Muntu's impressive display was complemented by Mekhi Cameron's 17 points and JaJuan Nicholls' 16 points and 7 rebounds. The trio's combined efforts proved too much for Little Rock to handle, as Tennessee Tech outscored their opponents 47-42 in the second half.
Little Rock's Braxton Bayless did his best to keep his team in the game, scoring 24 points and grabbing 5 rebounds. Truman Claytor IV added 16 points, while Johnathan Lawson chipped in with 12 points. However, it wasn't enough to overcome the Golden Eagles' balanced attack.
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The upset victory is a significant boost for Tennessee Tech's resume, particularly given that it was a Quadrant 4 game for both teams. The win will help to mitigate some of the damage from their lackluster non-conference schedule, and could potentially become a key factor in their tournament chances. For Little Rock, the loss is a setback, but not a devastating one, as they still have opportunities to bolster their own resume in the coming weeks.
It's worth noting that CHD Scout's prediction was correct, albeit with a narrower margin than expected. The actual score of 87-77 was a far cry from the predicted 74-72, but the end result was the same: a Tennessee Tech victory. The Golden Eagles' ability to exceed expectations and secure a double-digit win will undoubtedly give them a confidence boost as they head into their next matchup.
As the season enters its final stretch, Tennessee Tech's upset victory over Little Rock will be a crucial talking point in the tournament conversation. While it's still early to make definitive statements about their chances, one thing is clear: the Golden Eagles have proven they can compete with and beat teams ranked above them. This win will undoubtedly be a key factor in their tournament resume, and could potentially make all the difference in their postseason aspirations.