The men's basketball team fell to Tennessee Tech 77-82 on Thursday night.

Tech pulled out to an early eight-point lead before the Skyhawks got on the board. UTM rallied to tie the game with 11:27 left in the half. UTM then had a brief lead but lost it to Tech and never regained the lead. Tech lead by 15 points at the half.

UTM was the first to score in the second half with a three-point shot by guard, Earl Bullock. This was just one of his five three-pointers in the second half. UTM had four additional players with three-pointers in the second half.

Senior Jon Roos had back to back steals that led to a Jeremy Kelley dunk and a lay-up by Roos. This got the crowd screaming and standing to their feet.

UTM started to battle back from the 15-point deficit and brought themselves within two points of Tech. Tech went on to hit 15 out of 18 free throws in the last 6:02 of the game.

The loss marked the first time that UTM host lost on its home court this season. The Skyhawks are now 3-2 in the OVC and 10-6 overall.

UTM shot nearly twice as well from the field in the second half. "We slowed down and took better shots. We were rushed in the first half," said UTM head coach Bret Campbell.

When the Skyhawks travel to Tennessee Tech on Feb. 8, UTM has something to take to Cookeville according to Coach Campbell. "We need to make sure we play all 40 minutes, not just one half." UTM outscored Tech in the second half, but the 15-point deficit from the first proved to be too much to overcome.

Junior Earl Bullock led the Skyhawks with 22 points with J.C. Howe following with 15 points and nine rebounds. Senior Okechi Egbe chipped in 14 points in the losing effort.

Damien Kinloch led Tech with 21 points and 12 rebounds. The Skyhawks return to action at 7 p.m. Thursday night, hosting Eastern Kentucky.