Tennessee

After finally gaining momentum, USI men’s basketball deflates at home vs. Tennessee Tech

Published

2 years ago

January 7, 2024

After finally gaining momentum, USI men’s basketball deflates at home vs. Tennessee Tech

EVANSVILLE — The University of Southern Indiana men’s basketball team, as it has in spurts throughout the season, showed what it could be for a brief moment. The Screaming Eagles were moving in transition, hitting timely shots and playing the defense they’ve been capable of throughout.

USI looked like a team that had momentum and was in the midst of a winning streak. Tennessee Tech had few answers. In a tight game in which neither team led by more than eight points at that stage, a 9-2 run gave the 2,460 in attendance life. Something to cheer for.

But alas, it wasn’t to be, as it hasn’t been most of the season. TTU’s Diante Wood, who was a shoe size away from putting the Golden Eagles in last season’s NCAA Tournament, hit a tough layup with the foul going into the under-8 media timeout. “That was a backbreaker,” coach Stan Gouard said. The energy departed. The inevitable set in.

USI, in the 73-59 loss, was outscored 24-10 from that point on. Only one team was winning, and it wasn’t the host.

“Total let down throughout this game on both sides of the basketball,” Gouard said. “We allowed these guys to dictate the flow of the basketball game.”

The same issues plagued USI (5-11, 2-2 Ohio Valley Conference): Unbalanced scoring, sloppy turnovers, not getting to the free-throw line. Coach Stan Gouard wasn’t happy with the energy on the bench — “That’s gonna change. It’s unacceptable in my eyes that we’re in a game and guys are not uplifting each other,” he said.

Jeremiah Hernandez, who scored 18 points with four assists and three rebounds, was the Screaming Eagles’ only player in double figures until Jack Campion joined him at the 1:22 mark. Masses began heading for the door 22 game seconds later.

The need for another scorer, particularly when one of Hernandez or AJ Smith has an off night, has been evident since the Nov. 6 opener at Saint Louis.

That’s still a question 61 days later.

Last game: USI men’s basketball creates tangible momentum with home win over Tennessee State

“We need someone to step up. Right now, nobody is,” Gouard said. “We gotta have more poise about ourselves, especially when it’s a one- or two-possession game.”

The loss is deflating. A tight win against Tennessee State felt like a cornerstone moment, like something to build on. The atmosphere was exuberant, players enthralled. USI, after beating Lindenwood in the previous game after a tight overtime loss to Southeast Missouri State, had a winning streak. Tangible momentum.

Then Tennessee Tech (5-11, 1-3), coming off four consecutive losses and without an OVC win, came into Screaming Eagles Arena and pulled away.

“We just came out a little flat today,” Hernandez said. “We were smelling ourselves a little bit off those two wins, and it’s just dealing with a team like this, we gotta figure out how it is to win and carry it along.

“We did a good job with the two game win streak, but it’s all about just being consistent.”

One OVC loss doesn’t derail a season. It doesn’t diminish the progress shown in the first three league showings. But the performance, outside the second-half 9-2 run, left plenty to be desired.

“It’s a good league,” Campion said. “We can’t take the backseat. We’ve got to come out and stay hungry.”

Let level heads prevail. The season isn’t over. There’s still plenty to play for. But the same issues, murked by a brief spell of excellence and excitement, cannot continue if USI is going to meet its goals.

Saturday was a frustrating reminder of the non-conference slate. Changes need to come.

“The energy level, our mental approach, our ability to get stops on the defensive end, playing through fatigue, taking care of the basketball, get great shots: All of that stuff,” Gouard said. “I know where we went wrong at, but I’m gonna go back and look at it just to make sure we’re clear on where we struggled at and we’ll have them ready to go next week.”

USI women remain perfect in OVC play

Ali Saunders stepped back in with the USI women’s basketball team needing a basket to make it a two-possession game. There was still some time on the shot clock, so the shot came with calculated risk. The sophomore Valparaiso transfer, who started for the first time this season in place of injured Tori Handley, sank the shot to the roar of Screaming Eagles Arena, hitting the pivotal shot to secure the win over Tennessee Tech.

“I just saw they had a miscommunication,” Saunders said. “Every team makes us pay for miscommunication, so it’s about time we made them pay for one, as well. (I) saw a little bit of daylight and let it fly.”

The Eagles, against the defending OVC Tournament champion and team tabbed as the preseason league favorite, stayed perfect in conference play with a 69-66 victory.

“Most of the games in this league look like that,” coach Rick Stein said. “Those are games we didn’t win last year, so that feels good, but we can’t rest on that.”

USI (9-5, 4-0) showcased its depth in the win. Saunders was an example of that in Handley’s place. Vanessa Shafford and Madi Webb both fouled out in the fourth quarter and Triniti Ralston and Chloe Gannon seamlessly stepped into those roles. You don’t win in league play, or beat Tennessee Tech (6-9, 1-3) without that.

“We have complete confidence in all 14 of our players,” Stein said. “I think our depth has been in every win — in every game — this year. … We go to the bench and we’re not losing strength.”

Saunders, aside from the crucial shot, had arguably her best performance since joining USI. Her 12 points, seven assists and five rebounds almost always came at crucial moments. Vanessa Shafford scored a team-high 16 points with a career-high 15 rebounds, while Madi Webb and Meredith Raley scored 12 points each.

Balance, depth, scoring, defense. That’s the recipe to winning in the OVC. USI has done that to this point and has looked every bit like a team that can compete for a title. The Eagles are alone in first place as the final undefeated team in conference play.

“You just keep building every single day in practice,” Webb said. “Doing what we’re supposed to do, not letting our work ethic waver at all and come in and do what we need to do.”

Source link

Click to comment

Tennessee

Things to do in the Chattanooga area this week include Chickapalooza, Amy Grant, Summerween | Chattanooga Times Free Press

Published

1 hour ago

June 20, 2026

Press Room

Things to do in the Chattanooga area this week include Chickapalooza, Amy Grant, Summerween | Chattanooga Times Free Press

COMEDY

‘The Muslims are Coming’

When: 7 p.m. Wednesday

Where: The Comedy Catch, 29 Station St.

Cost: $23 for general admission

More info: Showcase of Muslim (and non-Muslim) comedians.

thecomedycatch.com

FILM

‘Toy Story 5’

When: 6:15 p.m. Monday-Thursday

Where: Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater, 201 Chestnut St.

Cost: $15 for general admission

More info: Latest installment in the long-running Pixar franchise about the lives of childhood toys.

tnaqua.org/imax

Bobby Stone Film Series

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Friday and 4 p.m. Sunday

Where: Walker Theatre, 399 McCallie Ave.

Cost: $13.50 for general admission

More info: Screenings include: “Resurrection” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, “Rear Window” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and “The Sparks Brothers” at 4 p.m. Sunday.

tivolichattanooga.com

–––

‘Supergirl’

When: 5 and 7:15 p.m. Friday-Sunday

Where: Tennessee Aquarium IMAX 3D Theater, 201 Chestnut St.

Cost: $15 for general admission

More info: Summer blockbuster about Superman’s cousin, Supergirl.

tnaqua.org/imax

–––

Movie night

When: 8 p.m. Friday

Where: Chester Frost Park, 7872 Causeway Road

Cost: Free

More info: Hamilton County Parks and Recreation hosts a free movie night screening of “Finding Nemo.” Includes games, vendors and more.

facebook.com

MUSIC

Ramsey & Broemel

When: 7 p.m. Tuesday

Where: Songbirds, 206 W. Main St.

Cost: $30 in advance

More info: Musicians Tyler Ramsey and Carl Broemel from Of My Morning Jacket performs.

venue.songbirds.org

–––

Fielder

When: 6 p.m. Thursday

Where: The Woodshop, 5500 St. Elmo Ave.

Cost: $13 for general admission

More info: Nashville-based duo Fielder performs.

thewoodshoplisteningroom.com

–––

Chris Knight

When: 7 p.m. Thursday

Where: Songbirds, 206 W. Main St.

Cost: $30 in advance

More info: Kentucky native Chris Knight performs.

venue.songbirds.org

–––

Barkley Cove

When: 6 p.m. Friday

Where: The Woodshop, 5500 St. Elmo Ave.

Cost: $10 for general admission

More info: Folk ensemble Barkley Cove performs.

thewoodshoplisteningroom.com

–––

Nightfall

When: 6 p.m. Friday

Where: Miller Plaza, 850 Market St.

Cost: Free admission

More info: Free summer concert series Nightfall continues, with The 42 as opener and Zach Person as headliner. Also features food trucks and market vendors.

nightfallchattanooga.com

–––

Chelsea Drugstore

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Where: Songbirds, 206 W. Main St.

Cost: $15 in advance

More info: Chelsea Drugstore, a tribute to the Rolling Stones, performs.

venue.songbirds.org

–––

R&B vs. Hip Hop

When: 8 p.m. Friday

Where: Barrelhouse Ballroom, 1501 Long St.

Cost: $15 in advance, $20 day of show

More info: DJ experience, pitting R&B against Hip Hop.

barrelhouseballroom.com

–––

Struggle Jennings

When: 8 p.m. Friday

Where: The Parlour at The Signal, 21 Choo Choo Ave.

Cost: $24.50 for general admission

More info: Grandson of Waylon Jennings, Struggle Jennings, performs.

thesignaltn.com

–––

KPop Demon Hunters

When: 1 p.m. Saturday

Where: The Parlour at The Signal, 21 Choo Choo Ave.

Cost: $25 for general admission

More info: Family friendly DJ experience, featuring the music of the hit Netflix animated film.

thesignaltn.com

–––

Riverfront Nights

When: 6 p.m. Saturday

Where: Ross’s Landing, 201 Riverfront Parkway

Cost: Free

More info: Free summer concert series Riverfront Nights continues for the 2026 season. Sloppy Street Tacos opens, and Jump, a tribute to Van Halen, headlines.

riverfrontnights.com

–––

Paul McDonald

When: 7 p.m. Saturday

Where: Songbirds, 206 W. Main St.

Cost: $20 in advance

More info: Paul McDonald and the Mourning Doves performs.

venue.songbirds.org

–––

Amy Grant

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: Walker Theatre, 399 McCallie Ave.

Cost: $61+

More info: Singer-songwriter Amy Grant performs.

tivolichattanooga.com

OUT & ABOUT

Nooga Splash

When: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sundays-Fridays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturdays

Where: Chester Frost Park, 2389 Gold Point Circle N.

Cost: $14+

More info: Floating water park Nooga Splash continues for the summer season. Main season operating hours continue through Aug. 4.

noogasplash.com

–––

Family Potluck

When: 4-9 p.m. Monday

Where: Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave.

Cost: Free

More info: Post Nuclear Family Potluck, an all-ages chosen family potluck. Features games, dinner and a movie.

barkinglegs.org

–––

Battle of Badges

When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday

Where: Walker County Sheriff’s Office, 105 S. Duke St., LaFayette

Cost: Free

More info: Walker and Catoosa county Sheriff’s Offices host a blood donation drive.

donor.bloodassurance.org

–––

Farmers market

When: 3-6 p.m. Thursday

Where: Chattanooga Choo Choo, 1400 Market St.

Cost: Free admission

More info: Farmer and farmer-adjacent vendors at the Chattanooga Choo Choo.

facebook.com

–––

River market

When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays

Where: Tennessee Aquarium Plaza, 1 Broad St.

Cost: Free admission

More info: Chattanooga River Market continues, featuring various vendors. Market open Saturdays only from April-October.

chattanoogamarket.com

–––

Staff file photo / Jan Fowler, left, and Curtis Fowler shop items at the Chickamauga Art and Folk Festival on Aug. 16, 2025. This year, the festival, now called Chickapalooza, is set for 10 a.m.-sunset Saturday around the Gordon Lee Mansion, 217 Cove Road, Chickamauga.

Chickapalooza

When: 10 a.m.-sunset Saturday

Where: Gordon Lee Mansion, 217 Cove Road, Chickamauga

Cost: Free admission

More info: Chickapalooza Art and Music Festival, featuring a lineup of live music, artists, food and more.

facebook.com

–––

Staff file photo / From Point Park atop Lookout Mountain, a viewer can see the Tennessee River curve around Moccasin Bend on May 21, 2025. The Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park has a program set for 2 p.m. Saturday at Point Park, 110 Point Park Road, Lookout Mountain, Tenn., focusing on the forces that created the mountains and ridges of the Tennessee River Valley.

History program

When: 2 p.m. Saturday

Where: Point Park, 110 Point Park Road, Lookout Mountain, Tenn.

Cost: $10 park entrance fee

More info: Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park hosts program about the forces that created the mountains and ridges of the Tennessee River Valley.

nps.gov/chch

–––

Radio Field Day

When: 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday

Where: Chattanooga Valley Lions Club, 265 South Ave., Flintstone

Cost: Free

More info: Tri-States Amateur Radio Club hosts an amateur radio field day, showcasing how the technology works.

ag4dw@arrl.org

–––

Summerween

When: 6 p.m. Saturday

Where: Patten Square, 818 Georgia Ave.

Cost: Free

More info: Celebrate Halloween in the Summer at Summerween, featuring costume contests, a watermelon-carving contest, live music and more.

rivercitycompany.com

SPORTS

Lady Red Wolves

When: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday

Where: CHI Memorial Stadium, 1 Stadium Way

Cost: $10+

More info: Chattanooga Lady Red Wolves take on the Southern Soccer Academy.

chattanoogaredwolves-sc.com

–––

Lookouts

When: 7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday

Where: Erlanger Park, 2658 Pipe Way

Cost: $7+

More info: Chattanooga Lookouts take on the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. Promotions include: World Soccer Night and Las Montanas de Chattanooga on Tuesday, a blanket giveaway on Wednesday, a cell phone bag giveaway, drink specials and Never Text and Drive Night on Thursday, Unum Night and fireworks on Friday, Dino Weekend and a pre-game concert on Saturday and Dino Weekend and a canned food drive on Sunday.

mlb.com/milb/chattanooga

–––

Football Club

When: 7 p.m. Saturday

Where: Finley Stadium, 1826 Reggie White Blvd.

Cost: $8+

More info: Chattanooga Football Club takes on the Chicago Fire Football Club.

chattanoogafc.com

THEATER & ARTS

Dungeons and Drag-ons

When: 7 p.m. Thursday

Where: Barking Legs Theater, 1307 Dodds Ave.

Cost: $15 for general admission

More info: Dungeons and Dragons-inspired drag showcase for ages 13 and older.

barkinglegs.org

______

Have an upcoming event? Email calendar@timesfreepress.com to be considered for one of our listings or go to timesfreepress.com/calendar for immediate posting online.

Sam Still

sstill@timesfreepress.com

Sam Still is the outdoors reporter for the Chattanooga Times Free Press. In this role, Sam focuses on stories about people and their relationship to the regional environment. Sam began his journalism career as an intern for the Times Free Press, writing for the lifestyle publication Chatter Magazine. He joined the newspaper full-time in summer 2023. He received a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he was a staff writer and assistant news editor for the university’s student newspaper, The Echo. He is originally from Cleveland, Tennessee.

Source link

Tennessee

Tennessee baseball adds pitcher Ricky Ojeda, UC Irvine transfer

Published

12 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Press Room

Tennessee baseball adds pitcher Ricky Ojeda, UC Irvine transfer

Tennessee baseball received a commitment from UC Irvine pitcher Ricky Ojeda on June 19.

Ojeda, who is eligible for the MLB draft in July, announced his decision on social media. He visited Tennessee on June 15-16.

The lefthanded Ojeda had a strong 2026 season primarily as a reliever, posting a 3.77 ERA with 62 strikeouts and 20 walks in 62 innings. In 2025, he became the first reliever to be named Big West Pitcher of the Year after going 13-1 with a 3.55 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 66 innings, which also earned him a third-team all-American nod from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and Perfect Game.

Whether Ojeda makes it to Tennessee remains an open question. Perfect Game ranked him as the No. 179 prospect for the draft. That would place him in the sixth round.

Should Ojeda join the staff, however, he would instantly become one of the team’s top options out of a bullpen that struggled immensely in 2026. The pitching staff is also under new leadership under pitching coach Austin Knight, who was hired from ECU.

Ojeda is the fourth player to announce they will transfer to Tennessee this offseason, joining two-way Mercer transfer Braydon Kersey, Northwestern State pitcher Brody Trosclair and Air Force infielder Wyatt Hanoian.

Who’s leaving Tennessee baseball

UTL Jay Abernathy (Oklahoma)
RHP Nic Abraham
INF Ariel Antigua (Arizona)
INF Finley Bates
RHP Ari Bethea
OF Hutson Chance
RHP Sawyer Deering (San Diego State)
OF Nate Eisfelder
1B Evan Hankins (Virginia Tech)
UTL Hunter High
RHP Brayden Krenzel (Arkansas)
INF Manny Marin
INF Ethan Moore (Missouri)
UTL Chris Newstrom
LHP Taylor Tracey
C Cash Williams (West Virginia)

Who’s joining Tennessee baseball

RHP/DH Braydon Kersey
LHP Brody Trosclair
INF Wyatt Hanoian
LHP Ricky Ojeda

Emmett Siegel covers Tennessee baseball for Knox News. Email: emmett.siegel@knoxnews.com; X: @EmmettSiegel_

Source link

Tennessee

Shooting Hunger event aims to prevent childhood hunger in West Tennessee

Published

22 hours ago

June 19, 2026

Press Room

Shooting Hunger event aims to prevent childhood hunger in West Tennessee

JACKSON, Tenn. (WBBJ) – An exciting day of sporting clays in West Tennessee is doubling as a major fight against hunger.

Today’s “Shooting Hunger” event took place at the Carroll County Shooting Sports Park in Huntingdon. It’s a partnership between Tennessee Farm Bureau, Tennessee Farmers Co-Op, Farm Credit Mid-America and Rural First.

Shooting Hunger at Carroll County Shooting Sports Park(Gray News)

Since 2015, Shooting Hunger has helped provide more than three million meals to Tennesseans with money going to food banks, backpack programs, and local hunger relief. A $500 scholarship will also go to the top youth shooter in each flight.

“We’re joining together to raise money for school backpacks to feed hungry kids. We do these, we actually do three of these across the state of Tennessee so at the end of the day we take, we take all the money we put it into a pile and when we divide equally amongst all 95 counties across the state of Tennessee,“ said Bryan Wright, executive vice president for the Tennessee Farm Bureau.

Organizers say events like this matter because one in six children in Tennessee struggle with hunger.

Source link