COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Jim Davis knows what it’s like
rubbing two stones together, hoping for a spark, any spark, to
ignite a fire. The first-year Tennessee Tech coach shuffled lineups
all night Saturday, looking for any combination that might catch
fire but it was like trying to burn wet kindling.
Nothing worked.
Visiting ULM (1-4) had the lead nearly all night, thanks mostly to
a huge edge in rebounds, and left town with a 59-48 non-conference
victory. The winning margin grew from five to 11 in the
final minute.
The Warhawks won despite being held to 34.5 percent shooting and
losing the ball on 21 turnovers. Tech (2-3) never found a way to
take advantage, shooting just 27 percent and losing the rebound
battle, 55-32.
Jasmine Shaw led the way for ULM with 14 points and 10 rebounds,
one of three Warhawks to reach double digits in the scoring column.
Elexar Tugler added 12 points and seven rebounds and Alexar Tugler
had 11 points and six boards. Ashleigh Simmons topped ULM in
rebounds with 12 while scoring eight. Alayshia Hunter blocked five
shots.
Kelie Cook was Tech’s lone double figure scorer with 10
points while Candace Parson and Jala Harris added nine each. Molly
Heady scored eight.
Not much was settled through the first 20 minutes, as the score
was tied six times and the lead changed hands six times but neither
squad was able to establish any advantage. The largest lead of the
half for ULM was five points (10-5) and Tech’s widest margin
was three (23-20) points.
ULM went to the break with a two-point lead, 27-25, after Jasmine
Shaw grabbed a missed shot with nine seconds to play and banked in
her putback.
It was more of the same in the second half as Tech would fall
behind by a basket, then catch up. That script repeated itself for
most of the half, knotting the contest at 43-43 with 9:06 to
go.
The Warhawks crept out to a four-point lead, 49-45, on a
three-point play by Alexar Tugler with 6:31 remaining, and pushed
it to five, 52-47, with 3:30 remaining.
Harris made one free throw to pull Tech within four, 52-48, but it
was the last point to light the home side of the scoreboard. The
Warhawks tallied the final seven points of the contest for the
final margin.
One more game remains on the team’s seven-game,
season-opening homestand. Alcorn State will visit town for a 7 p.m.
tipoff Tuesday night. For tickets, visit the Athletics Ticket
Office in Eblen Center or call (931) 372-3940.