Preview: Tennessee Tech at Western Illinois

MACOMB, Ill. (Interstat) — Two Ohio Valley Conference men’s basketball teams seeking to reverse recent slides will meet Saturday when the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles visit the Western Illinois Leathernecks.

The matchup at Western Hall features teams with a combined 10-22 overall record. Tennessee Tech (6-10) enters having lost four straight, most recently a 71-61 defeat at Eastern Illinois on Thursday. Western Illinois (4-12) has dropped five consecutive games, including a 90-68 home loss to Tennessee State on Thursday.

A key player to watch for the Golden Eagles is guard Ty Owens. Over his last six games, Owens is averaging 7.2 points and 3.2 assists, including a 12-point, 3-assist performance in a win over Southeast Missouri State on Dec. 18. In Thursday’s loss, he contributed 7 points and 4 assists in 24 minutes.

The Leathernecks will rely on guard Isaiah Griffin, who has been a consistent scorer during their skid. Griffin is averaging 13.0 points over his last six contests, highlighted by a 21-point outing in a narrow 67-60 loss at Tennessee-Martin on Jan. 1. He led Western Illinois with 14 points in Thursday’s defeat.

Both teams have struggled defensively. Tennessee Tech has allowed an average of 80.5 points during its four-game losing streak, while Western Illinois has surrendered 81.2 points per game over its five-game slide.

This game represents one of the more winnable conference opportunities on the schedule for each squad as they look to build momentum. The Golden Eagles will continue a three-game road trip, while the Leathernecks play the second of a two-game homestand before hitting the road for four of their next five.

The teams will meet again in Cookeville, Tennessee, on Thursday, Feb. 5.

Tip-off is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026.