By Jocelyn VerVelde, Sports Information Coordinator
STARKVILLE, Miss. - The Tennessee Tech women's basketball team
dropped its non-conference match-up with undefeated Mississippi
State (4-0) on Thursday night, 90-45. The Golden Eagles move to 1-2
in the early part of the season.
Fouls and turnovers were the biggest downfall for the Golden Eagles. While there were 52 fouls called in the game, unfortunately 30 were called on visiting Tech. Juniors Candace Parson and Diamond Henderson, and sophomore Mariah Dean were all fouled out by the six-minute mark in the second half.
The MSU Bulldogs also forced the Golden Eagles into 34 turnovers. MSU was able to convert those turnovers into 44 points.
Tech's 45 points came from 10 of the 11 players who saw the court. Junior T'Keyah Williams led the way with eight points and three boards. Dean added seven points and three boards. Freshman Shunice Herron scored a career-high six points and dished out a team-high four assists. Senior Ellie Iaciofano, a four-year member of the TTU soccer team who joined the basketball squad following the completion of the soccer season, scored the first two points in a Tech basketball jersey, and added three boards, as well.
The Bulldogs saw four different players in double figures. Savannah Carter led all players with 21 points, Kendra Grant added 18, Martha Alwal scored 17 and hauled down 11 boards, and Breanna Richardson notched 12 points. Katia May dished out an impressive 13 assists on the night.
Tech's bench outscored the MSU bench, 21-18, but it was not enough as the Bulldogs shot 44 percent from the field and sank 28 free points from the charity stripe.
"The turnovers absolutely killed us," said Tech head coach Jim Davis. "We gave up 21 offensive boards and who knows how many second chance points, and you can't overcome that. MSU is a very good team, but we have a lot to work on. We were playing a lot of freshmen and new faces, and have a lot of growing up to do."
The Golden Eagles return home on Sunday as they host Valparaiso at 2 p.m. CT. Fans who bring a church bulletin will get a free ticket to the game. For all single-game tickets and season tickets, call the TTU ticket office at (931) 372-3940.
