By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Wednesday night started as tough as it could have for the Tennessee Tech women's basketball team. Shots didn't fall, turnovers stalled the offense and just nothing went right in the early phase of the game.
As the Golden Eagles were able to get back off their heels and put some momentum together in the second half, the damage was already done as Chattanooga escaped the Eblen Center with a 70-45 victory over Tech.
The Golden Eagles (0-2) will try to bounce back from the contest as they head to Alabama A&M on Saturday. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.
Chattanooga scored the first 18 points of the game as Tech missed its first nine shots and finished 1-for-11 from the field in the opening 10 minutes as Yaubryon Chambers' layup with 1:48 left in the stanza was all of the Golden Eagles' scoring.
The visiting Mocs extended their lead with a 22-10 second quarter as Chattanooga shot 14-of-25 in the first half to take a commanding 40-12 lead.
Tech showed it had some fight left in the third quarter, outscoring Chattanooga 20-15 on a 9-for-15 effort from the floor in the period, but the Golden Eagles' shooting cooled back off to 1-for-10 in the fourth as Tech collected 10 of its 13 fourth-quarter points from the free-throw line.
The Golden Eagles were 10-for-10 at the line in the final 10 minutes, finishing 16-of-23. Chattanooga (3-1), however, went 19-for-20 at the stripe. The Mocs also won the battle on the boards with 31 rebounds to Tech's 21.
Like the Ball State game, turnovers plagued the Golden Eagles as Tech had 13 giveaways in the first half, finishing with 19 in the contest.
Chattanooga ended with four players in double-figure scoring as Tech transfer Jada Guinn led the way with 15 points on 6-for-14 shooting. Karsen Murphy added 14 points, while Raven Thompson and Hannah Kohn scored 12 each.
Chambers and Reagan Hurst paced Tech with 12 points, while Reghan Grimes had five rebounds, Cayla Cowart had three assists and Hurst had five steals.
Following Tech's trip Saturday to Huntsville to take on the Bulldogs, the schedule shifts to the team's trip down to Daytona, Fla., to take on Missouri and Stetson during the Thanksgiving weekend. The Golden Eagles' next home contest is Nov. 29 as Tech hosts Lincoln Memorial.
Tickets for Tennessee Tech basketball are on sale – call (931) 372-3940, visit the Eblen Center ticket office or visit TTUsports.com.
Photo | Jim Dillon
