By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech came out hot on Thursday and put up big numbers on Education Day, thrilling a near-record crowd in the Eblen Center as the Golden Eagles soared to a 104-43 victory over Tennessee Wesleyan.
The announced attendance of 5,887 stands as the second-most fans for a women's basketball home game at the Hooper Eblen Center. The 61-point margin of victory is also the fourth-largest in the program's history. It is also Tech's first 100-point game since 2018.
The Golden Eagles (3-6) scored 38 points in the first quarter alone, banking on a 75-percent shooting rate, hitting 15 of their 20 shots. Tech was also able to force 31 turnovers in the contest, converting those into 46 points. Reagan Hurst had four steals, while Maaliya Owens, Jennifer Sullivan and Harley Paynter each had three.
Tech distributed the ball well, collecting 28 assists on 39 made baskets, led by six dimes from Owens and five for Paynter.
Owens led the Golden Eagles in scoring with 24 points as she hit 8-of-13 shots from the field, including 6-of-10 from 3-point range. Yaubryon Chambers chimed in with a career-high 19 points, shooting 8-for-9 on the floor.
Anna Walker, Peyton Carter and Kiera Hill each had 10 as every member of the Golden Eagle lineup that set foot on the court scored four points or more in the contest.
Alexis Bates led Tennessee Wesleyan with 12 points, while Jaci Powell had seven points. The game will not count for the Lady Bulldogs as it was an exhibition game on its schedule.
While Tech's largest scoring run in the game was a 12-0 sprint in the second quarter, the Golden Eagles outscored TWU 38-11 in the opening stanza, then 30-5 in the second quarter to take a 68-16 halftime advantage.
Tech outscored the Lady Bulldogs 16-13 in the third and 20-14 in the fourth.
For the game, the Golden Eagles finished with a 53.4-percent effort from the floor, knocking down 39 of 73 shots, including 11-of-30 from long-range and 15-of-22 at the free-throw line.
Tech returns to action on Monday as the Golden Eagles host Northern Kentucky in a 6 p.m. contest.
Tickets for Tennessee Tech basketball are on sale now – call (931) 372-3940, visit the Hooper Eblen Center ticket office or order online at TTUsports.com.
Photo | Jim Dillon
