By Rob Schabert, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Oh, how far they've come in the past two weeks. The Tennessee Tech women's basketball team won for the second consecutive time, posting an 81-70 non-conference victory over Lipscomb Sunday afternoon in Eblen Center.
Following two losses to open the season, games which left head coach Jim Davis scratching his head, the Golden Eagles (2-2) have put together a pair of solid outings in posting back-to-back wins, punctuated by teamwork and aggressive defense.
"We're even-steven now," head coach Jim Davis said. "Now we can start building."
It took the Golden Eagles until mid-January last year to win back-to-back contests.
Senior Samaria Howard scored a career-high 31 points and hauled down seven rebounds to top the charts, while junior Hannah Goolsby provided 16 points and five assists. Also in double figures, Alliyah Smith finished with 13 points and nine rebounds, and Lindsey Jennings scored 11 on 5-for-7 shooting.
"Everybody chipped in, and can't say enough about our defensive effort," said Davis.
Tech used a 23-10 advantage in the third quarter to take control, after going to halftime trailing 35-30. Junior Hannah Goolsby found the range from outside the arc, hitting 4-of-8 bombs to provide the offensive spark.
"I couldn't be happier with this team right now," Davis remarked. "I am really pleased with our offense and ever more pleased with our defense"
The Golden Eagles shot 54 percent in the period, and led 53-45 when the horn sounded. In addition to Goolsby's scoring, junior Lindsey Jennings came off the bench to score five points.
"Alliyah really got us going in the second," Golden Eagle Samaria Howard said. "She kept rebounding well and getting those put backs and it really pumped us up.
With Tech owning a double-digit lead at 71-60 with three minutes remaining, the Bisons tried to rally, beginning with a 3-pointer from the corner by Amber Fuqua. Southern also canned a 3-pointer from the corner, then banked in a running layup.
Each time, the Golden Eagles had an answer. Jennings split through traffic in the lane and sank a jumper as the shot clock wound down, Howard hit a left side jumper, and then made a pair of free throws. Two more free throws from Howard took the lead back to double figures and Tech withstood a scramble during the final 40 seconds for the 11-point victory.
Lipscomb (1-3) was led by a pair of 20-point scorers. Ashley Southern finished with 23 points and nine rebounds on 9-for-15 shooting, while Riley Northway added 20 points on 9-for-12 shooting. Loren Cagle directed the Bison attack with right assists.
"We are going to try and keep the streak alive," Howard remarked. "I haven't seen Lipscomb play alot but we will be ready for whatever the game brings us."
The game wrapped up Tech's four-game homestand to open the season, with a road tilt next on the agenda. The Golden Eagles will play Friday evening at Northern Kentucky, with tipoff slated for 6 p.m. CT at BB&T Arena in Highland Heights, Ky.
