Morehead State's visit to the Hooper Eblen Center resulted in a 76-70 victory over Tennessee Tech, as the Eagles' balanced offense proved too much for the Golden Eagles to handle. George Marshall led the charge with 16 points, while Anouar Mellouk chipped in with 12 points and 10 rebounds. The win marked a solid performance for Morehead State, who improved to 11-10 on the season.
The first half saw Morehead State take control, with the Eagles racing out to a 38-29 lead at the break. Tennessee Tech's Dani Pounds kept her team within striking distance, scoring 10 of her 15 points in the opening period. However, Morehead State's offense continued to click in the second half, with Josiah LeGree adding 13 points to help the Eagles maintain their advantage.
Tennessee Tech made a push in the second half, with Mekhi Cameron and Malik Ferguson combining for 22 points. However, the Golden Eagles were unable to overcome the deficit, ultimately falling by six points. The loss dropped Tennessee Tech to 7-14 on the season, with the team struggling to find consistency.
The performance of Marshall and Mellouk was crucial for Morehead State, as the duo helped to pace the Eagles' offense. Marshall's 16 points led all scorers, while Mellouk's double-double marked a significant contribution. The Eagles' ability to spread the scoring around, with three players in double figures, made it difficult for Tennessee Tech to key in on a single threat.
As the season wears on, the importance of wins like this one cannot be overstated. For Morehead State, the victory marked a Quadrant 4 win, which may not carry significant weight in terms of tournament resume-building. However, the Eagles' ability to take care of business against a lower-ranked opponent is a positive sign. On the other hand, the loss was a Quadrant 4 defeat for Tennessee Tech, which will do little to help the Golden Eagles' already slim tournament chances.
With the win, Morehead State improved to 11-10 on the season, with a net ranking of 283. While the Eagles are not yet in the tournament conversation, they are at least trending in the right direction. For Tennessee Tech, the loss marked another disappointment in a season that has been filled with them. The Golden Eagles' net ranking of 329 makes it unlikely that they will be a factor in the tournament discussion. As the season enters its final stretch, Morehead State want to build on this win and make a push for a stronger finish, while Tennessee Tech will aim to regroup and find a way to turn their season around.