The Tennessee Tech men’s basketball team and Belmont clashed for an Ohio Valley Conference East division battle Jan. 31. The most recent version of the Golden Eagles-Bruins rivalry featured teams with different styles of play. While Tech depended on their presence inside the paint, Belmont attacked them from the perimeter.
Charles Jackson, a transfer from the College of Southern Idaho, has been dominant in the paint all year for Tech. Jackson has earned 14 double-doubles so far this season, which is fifth in National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Division I basketball. The Bruins were able to limit Jackson to four points and six rebounds.
The Golden Eagles’ other big man, Dwan Caldwell, also struggled inside the Curb Event Center. Caldwell ended his night with one rebound and four points.
Early on, the OVC battle did not disappoint. Belmont was successful from beyond the arc in the first half going 7-of-17 including four threes from sophomore Taylor Barnette. Tech was 3-of-9 in three pointers. While it was not that impressive, it was enough to keep the Bruins on their heels. Torrance Rowe was the Golden Eagles’ main deep threat with two of their first half three pointers. Both teams were nearly even in the half in field goals, but Belmont had the slight advantage with 12 field goals to Tech’s 11.
