MARTIN, Tenn. – Senior Blair Bowens poured in a
career-high 28 points and had five steals, Vivian Nwosu added 14
points, and Tennessee Tech attacked the boards with a vengeance to
overcome blistering shooting by UT Martin as the Golden Eagles
claimed a 61-55 Ohio Valley Conference road victory Saturday
night.
The Skyhawk women Martin had one of their most balanced offensive
efforts of the season, but Tech snapped down 21 offensive rebounds
and had a 36-26 edge on the glass which ultimately led to the TTU
victory.
Yalonda Davis and Alishia Glover netted 12 points each to lead the
Skyhawks, who shot 53.8 percent from the field compared with 36.5
percent by the Golden Eagles.
Bowens hit five 2-pointers and went 9-for-13 at the free throw line
on her way to Tech’s highest scoring performance of the
season. She had four rebounds and three assists in addition to five
steals.
Nwosi shot 6-for-8 on her way to scoring 14 points. Senior Meagan
Lyons added eight points and eight rebounds. Senior point guard
Allison Price continued her streak of strong floor play, seeing 38
minutes of action with five assists and only three turnovers. Price
has now played 147 minutes with just four miscues.
Tech held the Skyhawks to their lowest rebound total of the season,
and only the fourth time this year that UTM was out rebounded in a
game, the first in conference play.
Tennessee Tech continues to climb up the OVC standings, improving
to 7-19 overall and 5-10 in the OVC, while the loss drops the
Skyhawk record to 2-22 on the year and 0-12 in league play.
After UTM took an early lead, Bowens beat the expiring shot clock
at the 16-minute mark to give Tech its first lead of the day at
6-4. The Golden Eagles went on to push their lead to as much as six
in the first half, with the help of five three-point buckets, but
the Skyhawks continued to hang around. The deep shot wasn't falling
in the opening half for the home team, but over 50 percent shooting
from the field overall helped them stay close.
A pair of free throws from Mitchell tied the score at 23 apiece
with four minutes remaining in the half, but Lyons followed with
another 3-pointer on the next possession. A pair of Simone Rutledge
free throws with 12 seconds remaining in the half gave Tech a 28-27
lead at halftime.
UTM went up by five to open the second half, but Tech tied the game
at 35-35, and scored the next six points for a 41-35 lead. The
contest was tied twice more, before a three-point play by Bowens at
the 4:43 mark pushed Tech on top to stay. Bowens added another
3-pointer for a six-point lead and the Golden Eagles nursed that to
the finish.
The Golden Eagles, who have won three of their last four games,
will host Tennessee State next Thursday at 5 p.m. in Eblen Center,
followed by Austin Peay on Saturday at 7 p.m. Tech lost in double
overtime to APSU earlier this year and in overtime to TSU.
Plenty of good seats are available for the game, with fans
encouraged to wear pink and join the team in a “Pink
Zone” event sponsored by the Women’s Basketball Coaches
Association.
For tickets, visit the Athletic Ticket Office in Eblen Center or
call (931) 372-3940.