Golden Eagles top Alcorn St. to reach semis
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
Tennessee Tech did that in an otherwise forgettable, 62-50, victory over Alcorn State in last night's opener of the Rainbow Classic at the Stan Sheriff Center.
The Golden Eagles advanced to tomorrow's semifinals despite committing 27 turnovers and getting out-rebounded 49-33.
"Not very pretty," said first-year Tennessee Tech head coach Mike Sutton. "We played hard in spots, but it was a very sloppy game."
Brent Jolly led the Golden Eagles with 15 points, including 12 in the second half. Damien Kinloch added 14 points and eight rebounds, and Cameron Crisp contributed 10 points and nine assists for Tennessee Tech (6-4).
"We didn't do a good job on the backboards, but we got a win," Sutton said. "We'll have to play better in the next game."
For Alcorn State, it was sloppy and ugly. The Braves (1-8) committed 22 turnovers and shot a dismal 26 percent (20-of-77) from the field, including just 17 percent (4-of-24) from 3-point range.
"You get 49 turnovers (combined) in the game, that's not doing a good job of taking care of the ball," Sutton said. "We won't win the next game if we do that, I guarantee you."
Despite 17 turnovers in the first half alone, Tennessee Tech held a 32-24 lead at intermission. A 13-4 run by the Golden Eagles early in the game gave them a 20-11 lead they would never relinquish.
Tennessee Tech opened the second half with a 7-0 run to increase the lead to 39-24. Alcorn State got as close as 48-42, but the Golden Eagles scored the next five points and the Braves never got closer.
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CLASSIC FACTS
What: Eight-team men's college basketball tournament
Where: Stan Sheriff Center
Yesterday's Results:
- Tennessee Tech 62, Alcorn State, 50
- Hawai'i 90, Bradley 69
Today's schedule:
- Butler vs. Texas-Pan American, 5 p.m.
- Western Kentucky vs. Chicago State, 7:30 p.m.
Tomorrow's schedule: Consolation games at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; semifinals at 5 and 7:30 p.m.
Monday's schedule: Seventh place, 11 a.m.; fifth place, 1:30 p.m.; third place, 5 p.m.; championship, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: Individual evening sessions are $16 for lower level and $12 for upper level; individual consolation sessions are $5. Parking is $3.
