By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
ST. CHARLES, Mo. – Milestone Weekend continued for the Tennessee Tech women's basketball team on Saturday. Following the program's 1,000th victory on Thursday, Golden Eagle head coach Kim Rosamond reached her own personal milestone as the Tech players cruised over Ohio Valley Conference newcomer Lindenwood 72-35.
The victory, which improved the Golden Eagles to 8-4 on the season, 2-0 in the fresh OVC slate, gave Rosamond her 100th victory, making her the third Tech women's basketball coach to reach 100 wins.
Tech had four players in double-digit scoring as Reagan Hurst led the way with 12 points, but also had six rebounds, three assists, five steals and a block in the contest. Anna Walker also scored 11 points, while Jada Guinn also tallied 11 with six rebounds, two assists and a steal. Maaliya Owens also had 10 points in the game.
Lindenwood (1-12, 0-2 OVC) had one double-digit scorer as Mary McGrath scored 11 on 5-for-10 shooting, pulling down eight rebounds, stealing three balls and blocking another.
The game became lopsided early as the Golden Eagles scored the first 10 points of the game before Sophia Horton scored the Lions' first points of the game, but Tech's defense continued to cage Lindenwood. The Golden Eagles forced 11 turnovers in the first quarter, converting those to 17 of 28 first-quarter points.
Before the first 10 minutes were done, Walker and Hurst already had six points each. The Golden Eagles shot 70.6 from the field, knocking down 12 of 17 shots. Tech also dominated the glass 9-2 – a number that also escalated before the day was through.
The Golden Eagles outscored Lindenwood 20-8 in the second quarter and went to the locker room with a 48-15 advantage. The Lions were able to chip a few points off here and there in the third quarter, but Tech limited Lindenwood's damage to a two-point gain, trailing the Lions 12-10 in the period. Tech then closed out the fourth quarter extending the lead back out to its largest margin of 37 points for the second time as the game came to an end.
Rebounds and turnovers were the Golden Eagles' friends in the contest. Tech controlled the glass, winning the battle 42 to 23, including 18 offensive boards. Those led to 14 second-chance points. Lindenwood had eight offensive caroms, converting to eight points.
Tech also forced 27 Lindenwood turnovers, led by Hurst's five steals. The Golden Eagles converted those into 28 points.
The Golden Eagles also had a nearly perfect day at the free-throw line, hitting 14 of their 15 shots.
Tech finished the day shooting 45 percent, hitting 27 of its 60 shots. Lindenwood was held to 13 buckets on 42 tries, a 31-percent effort on the day.
The Golden Eagles return home Thursday to take on Eastern Illinois at the Hooper Eblen Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
Tickets are on sale now for Tennessee Tech basketball. Call (931) 372-3940, visit the Eblen Center ticket office or visit TTUsports.com to order.
Photo | Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information