By Holly Weber, TTU Sports Information
JACKSONVILLE, Ala.—The Tennessee Tech women's basketball team (10-17, 7-7 OVC) suffered a 57-44 loss to OVC opponent Jacksonville State (12-14, 5-9 OVC) in Saturday's evening matchup. The victory for the Gamecocks brought the series score to 20-9, however, still in favor of the Golden Eagles. JSU's win also snapped Tech's two-game winning streak in the series.
After a couple of JSU buckets at the 8:52 and 7:11 marks, Tech finally got on the board with a Treyvonna "Trey" Brooks layup with 6:28 on the clock to cut the Gamecock lead down to 4-2. Jacksonville State continued to hold the lead heading into the latter part of the quarter, staying up at 8-4 with a Rayven Pearson layup at the 4:37 mark. With 4:15 on the clock, a Brooks layup and one at the line completed the three-point play for the Golden Eagles as they pulled within one of the Gamecocks at 8-7. After a 3:19 scoring drought, freshman Akia Harris broke the silence with a layup to bring Tech back within one of JSU at 10-9 to close out first quarter play.
An Asia Harper layup opened second quarter play strong as the Golden Eagles took their first lead of the game at 11-10 with 8:40 on the clock. Jacksonville State wouldn't let the Tech lead long last as they pulled ahead 14-11 at the 7:43 mark. Brooks quickly responded and stepped back to drain a three from downtown and tie the contest up at 14-14 with 7:30 to go in the quarter. The two teams continued to battle for control in the game, as a Lindsey Jennings layup retied gameplay at 16 with 4:40 remaining on the clock. From there, Jacksonville State went on a 9-0 scoring drive to take the 25-16 lead heading into halftime, holding Tech scoreless for the last 4:40 of the quarter.
At the break, the Golden Eagles were shooting 26.9 percent from the field, 20 percent from the three-point range, and 33.3 percent from the free throw line while the Gamecocks were shooting 39.3 percent from the floor, 25 percent from downtown, and 66.7 percent from the charity stripe. Tech outrebounded JSU by a 20-18 margin, however, the Gamecocks forced nine turnovers while allowing just five.
Into the second half, Jacksonville State continued to maintain control, pulling ahead 32-21 with a Tasha Magruder putback with 6:38 on the clock. The Gamecocks continued to apply pressure to the Golden Eagles, holding them to a 3:24 scoring drought before a Harris layup put Tech back within 10 at 35-25. JSU then closed out the third quarter leading Tech 43-27.
Brooks opened up fourth quarter play with a bucket from downtown eight second into gameplay to put Tech within 13 at 43-30. Brooks continued to tack on the points as she drained another from beyond the arc at the 7:19 mark to cut the Gamecock lead down to 43-33. Jacksonville State capitalized on their lead heading into the latter part of the quarter, extending their lead to 49-37 with 5:36 on the clock. From there, the Gamecocks claimed a 57-44 victory over the Golden Eagles.
Brooks led Tech with 20 points and four rebounds, while teammates Asia Harper and Harris each added six points in the contest. Briana Benson led Jacksonville State with 21 points and nine rebounds in the contest.
As a team, the Golden Eagles shot 34 percent from the field, 35.7 percent from beyond the arc, and 62.5 percent from the free throw line while the Gamecocks shot 35.7 percent from the floor, 25 percent from downtown, and 77.8 percent from the charity stripe. Jacksonville State outrebounded Tech by a 39-33 margin and forced 18 Golden Eagle turnovers while allowing just 12.
The Golden Eagles will return to action on Monday, Feb. 20, when they host Morehead State for their final home match of the season on Senior Day.
Photo by Thomas Corhern
