By, Jocelyn VerVelde, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
MARTIN, Tenn. - The Tennessee Tech women's basketball team had no answer for the tenacious UT Martin duo of senior guards Heather Butler and Jasmine Newsome on Monday night as the Golden Eagles fell 102-78 in a Ohio Valley Conference showdown.
Opening up on a quick pace, both the Golden Eagles and the Skyhawks traded points early, but a 20-4 UTM run orchestrated by all-OVC guards Butler and Newsome opened up the first half spread. The Golden Eagles kept it within nine on two Mariah Dean free-throws. However, seven-straight Newsome points reopened the gap, and the Skyhawks finished the opening half with a 50-36 lead, getting 18 points a piece from both Butler and Newsome.
The high-scoring affair continued into the second as the Golden Eagles stayed within 13 for the opening part of the half, but as Newsome and Butler took over, finishing the game with 36 and 35 respectively, the gap widened and the Golden Eagles were never able to get back within reach.
The Golden Eagles received balanced scoring as Candace Parson, Molly Heady, and T'Keyah Williams all scored in double-digits. Parson finished with 13 and seven rebounds, Heady finished with 12 points and Williams with 11. They also saw a solid performance from freshman Shunice Herron, who distributed a career-best eight assists, as well as adding seven points, two boards and two steals.
The Skyhawks got an additional 19 points from freshman Ashia Jones.
Tech is back in action at 3 p.m. CT at Austin Peay on Saturday, Jan. 25.