Game #6 - Tennessee Tech

The Catamounts remain in Cullowhee for game six, as the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles visit the Ramsey Center to cap off a three-game road trip for the visitors.  The Cats faced the Golden Eagles in Cookeville last season, bringing home an 89-76 road victory. 

When: Sunday, December 6, 2020, at 12:00 noon   
Where: Ramsey Center, Cullowhee, NC
Radio:  Catamount Sports Network

-announcers:  Gary Ayers, play by play

TV/video:   ESPN+
-announcers: Daniel Hooker (Play by Play), Jeff Bryson (Color Analyst)

Conference:  Ohio Valley Conference 

Official Athletic Site:  Tenn Tech Golden Eagles

Nickname:  Golden Eagles 

Location:   Cookeville, TN

Mascot:  Golden Eagle

Colors:   Purple & Gold (Yellow)

Students: 10,500

TT Fan Message Board:  none

The Series: The Cats and Golden Eagles have played 7 times on the hardwood, and the Cats own a 2-5 record against TTU. Western has won the last two games played between the two teams, in a series that was first played in 1946, and was dormant until the two played again in 1974. The Golden Eagles won the first five games of the series.    

Game Notes:   Western Carolina    -     Tenn. Tech  

Head Coach: John Pelphrey 

Record at Tennessee Tech: 9-23 / 2nd year 

Overall Record: 158-149 / 11th year

  

TTU's record last season (2019-20): 9-22 overall, 5-12 conf., 6-8 home, 3-12 away, 0-2 neutral

TTU's record this season (2020-21): 0-4 overall, 0-1 home, 0-3 away

Key Returners: Jr. Clay, Keishawn Davidson, Tujautae Williams, Amadou Sylla

Key Losses: Hunter Vick (transfer), Darius Allen, Cade Crosland
Key Newcomers: Damaria Franklin (JUCO), Taelon Peter, Kenny White, Austin Harvell, Marcus Hopkins (JUCO), Shandon Goldman (Northern Iowa), CJ Gettlefinger (Oakland)

The Golden Eagles were picked to finish 9th in the 12 team OVC by the coaches. Sophomore guard, Jr. Clay was picked for the preseason all-conference team.

Tech returns its top two scorers from last year in Jr. Clay and sophomore point guard Keishawn Davidson. Both ranked in the top-10 in the OVC in assists as well. The Golden Eagles' leading rebounder and shot-blocker, Amadou Sylla, also returns for his junior campaign.

The Golden Eagles welcomed eight newcomers to the mix for the 2020-21 campaign, including freshmen Austin Harvell (forward), Taelon Peter (guard), Jalen Stayton (freshman), and Kenny White Jr. (freshman), sophomore transfer CJ Gettelfinger (guard), juniors Damaria Franklin (guard) and Marcus Hopkins (center), and graduate transfer Shandon Goldman (forward).

The Golden Eagles lost to Chattanooga on Monday night, 54-62. The Golden Eagles played the Mocs without head coach John Pelphrey on the sideline (as he continued his recovery from COVID) and guards Jr. Clay, Tujautae Williams and Damaria Franklin (out due to COVID protocols). We don't know at this time if any or all will return prior to the WCU game.

In Thursday night's loss against Northern Kentucky, there were several bright spots for the Golden Eagles, led by freshman forward Austin Harvell, who recorded his first collegiate double-double. The rookie posted team-highs of 12 points and 10 rebounds. Fellow freshman forward Kenny White Jr. tacked on 11 points, seven boards and three steals while registering zero turnovers. Seven-footer Marcus Hopkins contributed eight points in a limited 12 minutes of action. First-year forward Jalen Stayton posted his first collegiate points with a 3-pointer late in the ball game.

Junior guard Jr. Clay made his 2020-21 debut, playing 23 minutes off the bench after missing the team's first three contests of the year due to COVID protocols. He scored 10 points with a team-high three makes from downtown while dishing out three assists and recording a team-best two steals.

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