By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
MARTIN, Tenn. – A big second quarter for the Tennessee Tech women helped overcome a slow first quarter as the Golden Eagles left the Elam Center Saturday with a big 70-59 victory over the host UT Martin Skyhawks.
Tech improves to 14-5 overall and 8-2 in the Ohio Valley Conference, winning the first two games of their four-game road trip. The Golden Eagles face Morehead State and Southern Indiana next week before returning to the Eblen Center.
Foul calls against Anna Walker and Amelia Pfeiffer slowed down the Golden Eagle posts as the Tech squad hist just three buckets in the opening stanza, shooting 20 percent from the field. UT Martin didn’t take much of an advantage as the Skyhawks kept the Golden Eagles within arms reach with a 13-8 quarter.
The Skyhawks (7-14, 4-6 OVC) were 6-for-13 from the field in the first 10 minutes.
It was the second quarter, however, where the Golden Eagles were able to gain momentum and propel themselves to a lead they never relinquished. Pfeiffer hit a second-chance bucket at 9:09 in the second to cut the UTM lead to three, then Reghan Grimes made it a one-point game at 13-12 with a basket off of a Skyhawk turnover.
After Anaya Brown hit a pair of free throws to give UTM a three-point lead once more, Walker scored on a turnaround jumper off a fast break pass from Peyton Carter. Daejah Richmond split a pair of free throws on the other end, then Chloe Larry sank a floating jumper to tie the game at 16-all with 6:36 left before the intermission and drew a foul. Larry completed the three-point play and Tech never trailed again.
Tech outscored the Skyhawks 21-5 in the period, bolstered by a 12-0 run and shot 6-for-12 from the floor and 8-for-8 at the free-throw line.
The stripe was also a deciding factor in the game. UTM was whistled for 24 total fouls, putting the Golden Eagles at the line for 27 shots. Tech knocked down 22, including an 11-for-12 performance at the line for Reghan Grimes to contribute to her game-leading 18 points. The fourth quarter saw the most as Tech went 13-for-17 in the final minutes.
The Skyhawks struggled from the field before the half was they were 1-for-12 from the field, the lone field goal coming from Kenley McCarn and the other three points coming at the stripe.
With a 29-18 Golden Eagle lead at the intermission, Tech just had to maintain. The advantage increased by two by the end of the third quarter as Tech outscored UTM 21-19 in the period, then that push was dashed in the fourth quarter as the Skyhawks topped the Golden Eagles 22-20 in the fourth as both teams scored 41 points in the second half.
UTM was only able to get the Tech advantage back to single digits twice – both in the third quarter.
In addition to Grimes’ 18, Keeley Carter also scored 16 points on a 6-for-10 day with four of Tech’s eight 3-pointers. Walker had nine points, while Larry had eight. Pfeiffer, who had seven points, led the team with seven rebounds, while Grimes had four assists.
McCarn and Richmond led UTM with 13 points each, while Brown scored 10.
The Golden Eagles return to action Thursday as they travel to Morehead State.
Tickets for Tennessee Tech basketball are on sale now – call (931) 372-3940, visit the Hooper Eblen Center ticket office or order online at TTUsports.com.
Photo | Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
