By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Southern Indiana jumped out to an early lead, but Tennessee Tech used a 16-0 run to surge ahead in the first quarter and never looked back as the Golden Eagles topped the Screaming Eagles 79-59 on Thursday night.
Tech improved to 15-8 on the season and stand at 9-4 in the Ohio Valley Conference. The Golden Eagles continue the campaign on Saturday as they head to Nashville to take on Tennessee State. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Maaliya Owens outscored the Screaming Eagles (10-14, 4-9 OVC) by herself in the opening quarter as she scored 15 points in the opening 10 minutes, going 5-for-5 on 3-pointers. The Tech senior finished the contest with a career-high 29 points, including nine 3-pointers on 12 tries. The nine long-range hits ties Dana Bilyeau, Rachael Gobble and Kellie Cook for the second-most 3-pointers made in a single game and trailed Stephanie Holbrook's record-holding performance as she hit 10 treys against Eastern Illinois in January 2005.
Reghan Grimes and Peyton Carter each scored 10 points for the Golden Eagles. Jada Guinn led Tech with seven rebounds and nine assists.
Tech finished the game shooting 50 percent from the field, hitting 28-of-56 shots, while knocking down 11 of 23 3-point tries. Tech was also 12-for-17 at the free-throw line.
The first quarter ended as the Golden Eagles outscored USI 22-12, then Tech extended its lead to 39-25 at the half and 63-40 at the end of three quarters. The Screaming Eagles outscored Tech 19-16 in the final period.
Hannah Haithcock led USI with 14 points, while Meredith Raley added 12 and Ashlynn Brown scored 11. Raley, Tara Robbe and Haithcock each came away with four rebounds, while Raley, Robbe and Vannessa Shafford each had three assists.
The Screaming Eagles hit 19 of 51 shots to go 37.3 percent from the floor, including 3-for-16 from 3-point range. USI went a perfect 18-for-18 at the free-throw line.
Tickets for Tennessee Tech basketball are on sale now – call (931) 372-3940, visit the Hooper Eblen Center ticket office or visit TTUsports.com to order.
Photo | Jim Dillon
