Tennessee Tech Dominates Western Illinois in 97-72 Victory
Thursday, February 5, 2026, 8:30 PM ET · Hooper Eblen Center
Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles 97, Western Illinois Leathernecks 72, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Western Illinois Leathernecks vs Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles?
Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles beat Western Illinois Leathernecks 97-72 at Hooper Eblen Center on February 5, 2026.
Who was favored in Western Illinois Leathernecks vs Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles?
Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -470 (about 82% implied). The favorite won.
In a commanding performance, the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles secured a decisive 97-72 victory over the Western Illinois Leathernecks at the Hooper Eblen Center. This win marks a significant moment for Tennessee Tech, who have now improved their record to 11-14, while Western Illinois continues to struggle, dropping to 4-21 on the season.
Tennessee Tech entered the game with a mixed recent form, having won three of their last ten games, but they were riding a two-game winning streak. Their scoring average over the last ten games stood at 68.1 points per game, while they allowed an average of 75.0 points. In their last five games, the Golden Eagles averaged 74.6 points scored, but they also conceded an average of 77.8 points. The home team had a home record of 1-3 in their last four games leading up to this matchup.
In contrast, Western Illinois faced a challenging stretch, having lost their last ten games, which included a scoring average of just 61.4 points while allowing 76.1 points per game. Their recent form has been particularly troubling, as they have not won a game in their last ten outings, with an average of 65.4 points scored and 83.0 points allowed in their last five games. The Leathernecks have struggled significantly on the road, holding an away record of 0-6.
The matchup also featured a historical context, with Tennessee Tech holding a slight edge in their head-to-head record against Western Illinois at 2-1 over the last three meetings. Their most recent encounter prior to this game occurred on January 10, 2026, where Tennessee Tech emerged victorious with a score of 59-54. However, the previous two meetings saw Tennessee Tech lose, including a 69-82 defeat at home on February 28, 2025.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details, but the overall performance of both teams suggested that Tennessee Tech was in a better position to capitalize on their home advantage. The market reflected this sentiment, with DraftKings setting the spread at -9.5 in favor of Tennessee Tech, indicating a strong expectation for the home team to win comfortably. The total for the game was set at 143.5, with over odds at -112.0 and under odds at -108.0. Tennessee Tech's money line was priced at -470.0, while Western Illinois was at 360.0.
The conditions of the game were conducive to a high-scoring affair, and Tennessee Tech took full advantage. The Golden Eagles showcased their offensive prowess, particularly in the second half, where they outscored the Leathernecks significantly. Key plays included a series of three-pointers and dunks that highlighted their offensive depth. Notable contributions came from Tyran Cook, who assisted multiple scoring plays, and Owen Varnado, who made crucial baskets in the paint.
As the game progressed, Tennessee Tech's dominance became more apparent, leading to a final score of 97-72. The Golden Eagles' ability to maintain pressure and capitalize on scoring opportunities was evident throughout the match, making it a noteworthy fixture in the NCAAB landscape.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | TNTC -9.5 | 143.5 o -112 / u -108 | Western Illinois Leathernecks +360 · Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles -470 |
Leaders
- PointsJaJuan Nicholls14Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles
- AssistsTy Owens6Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles
- ReboundsJaJuan Nicholls7Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles
- PointsFrancis Okwuosah17Western Illinois Leathernecks
- AssistsIsaiah Griffin6Western Illinois Leathernecks
- ReboundsLucas Lorenzen5Western Illinois Leathernecks
Recent form
Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles
Last 10: 3-7Streak W268.1 scored · 75 allowed per game1-3 at home
- W90-85at Tennessee State TigersFeb 3
- W87-77vs Little Rock TrojansJan 31
- L58-62at SIU Edwardsville CougarsJan 24
- L68-89at Lindenwood LionsJan 23
- L70-76vs Morehead State EaglesJan 17
- L54-71vs Southern Indiana Screaming EaglesJan 16
- W59-54at Western Illinois LeathernecksJan 10
- L61-71at Eastern Illinois PanthersJan 9
- L58-77at Little Rock TrojansJan 1
- L76-88vs Tennessee State TigersDec 31
Western Illinois Leathernecks
Last 10: 0-10Streak L1061.4 scored · 76.1 allowed per game0-6 away
- L44-84vs UT Martin SkyhawksJan 31
- L74-78vs Southeast Missouri State RedhawksJan 30
- L64-96at Southern Indiana Screaming EaglesJan 24
- L66-71at Morehead State EaglesJan 23
- L79-86at Little Rock TrojansJan 17
- L55-57at Eastern Illinois PanthersJan 14
- L54-59vs Tennessee Tech Golden EaglesJan 10
- L68-90vs Tennessee State TigersJan 9
- L50-73at Southeast Missouri State RedhawksJan 3
- L60-67at UT Martin SkyhawksJan 1
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee State | 23-10 | - | 15-5 |
| Morehead State | 20-13 | - | 15-5 |
| Southeast Missouri State | 20-13 | 1 | 14-6 |
| UT Martin | 22-11 | 2 | 13-7 |
| SIU Edwardsville | 19-13 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Lindenwood | 18-15 | 4 | 11-9 |
| Little Rock | 12-20 | 6 | 9-11 |
| Tennessee Tech | 13-18 | 6 | 8-12 |
| Eastern Illinois | 13-20 | 7 | 8-12 |
| Southern Indiana | 7-23 | 11 | 4-16 |
| Western Illinois | 5-26 | 14 | 1-19 |
| East Tennessee State | 23-11 | - | 13-5 |
| Mercer | 19-13 | 2 | 11-7 |
| Wofford | 19-13 | 2 | 11-7 |
| Samford | 18-14 | 2 | 11-7 |
| Furman | 22-13 | 3 | 10-8 |
| Western Carolina | 15-16 | 3 | 10-8 |
| UNC Greensboro | 15-19 | 4 | 9-9 |
| Chattanooga | 13-19 | 6 | 7-11 |
| The Citadel | 11-22 | 6 | 7-11 |
| VMI | 6-26 | 12 | 1-17 |
Box score
| Stat | Western Illinois Leathernecks | Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 25-54 | 34-57 |
| Field goal % | 46 | 60 |
| Three-pointers | 9-20 | 16-27 |
| Three-point % | 45 | 59 |
| Free throws | 13-16 | 13-17 |
| Free throw % | 81 | 76 |
| Rebounds | 21 | 34 |
| Offensive rebounds | 9 | 12 |
| Defensive rebounds | 12 | 22 |
| Assists | 11 | 22 |
| Steals | 3 | 6 |
| Blocks | 1 | 2 |
| Turnovers | 10 | 8 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 1 | 1 |
| Points off turnovers | 6 | 15 |
| Fast-break points | 3 | 3 |
| Points in the paint | 30 | 30 |
| Fouls | 15 | 11 |
| Largest lead | 2 | 37 |
| Lead changes | 1 | 1 |
| Time in front | 1 | 94 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half33-55Mekhi Cameron makes layup (Brandon Muntu assists)
- 2nd Half33-56Mekhi Cameron makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half35-56Isaiah Griffin makes 10-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half37-56Goanar Biliew makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half37-59Brandon Muntu makes 23-foot three point jumper (Ty Owens assists)
- 2nd Half37-62Mekhi Cameron makes 25-foot three point jumper (Ty Owens assists)
- 2nd Half37-64JaJuan Nicholls makes 2-foot dunk (Grant Slatten assists)
- 2nd Half38-64Antwaun Massey makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half41-64Francis Okwuosah makes 23-foot three point jumper (Isaiah Griffin assists)
- 2nd Half41-65Dani Pounds makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half41-66Dani Pounds makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half43-66Isaiah Griffin makes 9-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half43-69Jacobe Whitted makes 24-foot three point jumper (Ty Owens assists)
- 2nd Half43-71Ty Owens makes 10-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half45-71Marcus Pigram makes 17-foot step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half45-74Ty Owens makes 24-foot three point step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half48-74Lucas Lorenzen makes 24-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half48-76Ja'Quavian Florence makes 12-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half50-76Isaiah Griffin makes driving layup
- 2nd Half51-76Isaiah Griffin makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half51-77Malik Ferguson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half51-78Malik Ferguson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half51-81Ja'Quavian Florence makes 24-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half51-84Jah'Kim Payne makes 23-foot three point jumper (Mekhi Turner assists)
- 2nd Half53-84Isaiah Griffin makes driving layup
- 2nd Half53-87Ja'Quavian Florence makes 24-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half56-87Francis Okwuosah makes 22-foot three point jumper (Isaiah Griffin assists)
- 2nd Half56-90C.J. McPherson makes 23-foot three point jumper (Mekhi Turner assists)
- 2nd Half56-93Jah'Kim Payne makes 25-foot three point jumper (Mekhi Turner assists)
- 2nd Half57-93Isaiah Griffin makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half58-93Isaiah Griffin makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half60-93Marcus Pigram makes driving layup
- 2nd Half61-93Marcus Pigram makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half62-93Nick Hittle makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half65-93Marcus Pigram makes 27-foot three point jumper (Tyran Cook assists)
- 2nd Half65-95Owen Varnado makes 2-foot dunk
- 2nd Half67-95Tyran Cook makes 8-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half67-97Owen Varnado makes 3-foot dunk
- 2nd Half69-97Tyran Cook makes 8-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half72-97Steven Tipton makes 24-foot three point jumper (Tyran Cook assists)
Win probability
Above the line favours Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles, below favours Western Illinois Leathernecks.
Venue
- Hooper Eblen CenterCookeville, TN
- Attendance1038
- OfficialsChris Koopman, R.B. Clyburn, James Curran
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond