By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech women's basketball team got a needed motivational boost with a big win in its last outing. Now, the Golden Eagles will try to make it two in a row on Monday night as the Tech women host Northern Kentucky on Monday night.
Tip-off on Monday is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Hooper Eblen Center. Roger Ealey and Frank Harrell will have the call on 106.1 The Eagle, while Dylan Vazzano and Steve Smith will narrate the action on ESPN+ (subscription required).
The Golden Eagles (3-9) look to avenge a tough loss to the Norse last season on the road, falling 75-53 last November. NKU scored the first 19 points of the game before Tech was able to get on the scoreboard, shooting 0-for-11 from the field to open the contest.
Once Tech started to put points on the board, the game stayed fairly even, but the 19-spot given the hosts to start the contest was just too much to overcome. The Golden Eagles finished the game 19-for-50 from the field and 1-for-9 from 3-point range. Reghan Grimes led the Golden Eagles with 14 points and eight rebounds, while Anna Walker added 11 points and seven boards.
Ivy Turner and Lindsey Duval both scored 16 points to lead NKU in that game as the Norse went 21-of-26 at the free-throw line.
Northern Kentucky enters the contest with a 2-6 record, including an 0-1 start in Horizon League play. The Norse's two wins have come to Marshall (76-66) on Nov. 18 and a 74-70 victory over Kentucky State on Dec. 9 in their last outing -- 11 days before their game against the Golden Eagles.
It's also the first game of a Tennessee swing as the Norse also play at Middle Tennessee on Wednesday.
NKU's notches in the loss column include Indiana State (85-82 in overtime), Eastern Kentucky (86-75), Pittsburgh (88-57), Chattanooga (63-47), Cleveland State (72-60) and Illinois (74-52).
Even with the 2-6 start, the Norse still have four players averaging double-digit scoring. Led by Khamari Mitchell-Steen with 14.6 points, NKU also had double-digit scoring from Macey Blevins (13.4) and Kennedy Igo (12.5), while Carter McCray is nearly averaging a double-double with 12.8-points and 9.1 rebounds per game.
As a team, NKU is averaging 65.38 points a game, while allowing 75.50 per game. The Norse are shooting .413 from the field, .290 from 3-point range and .713 from the free-throw line.
Meanwhile, the Golden Eagles are working toward the end of a challenging non-conference slate, which has included losses to Ball State, Chattanooga, Alabama A&M in overtime, Missouri, Kentucky and Middle Tennessee.
Tech beat Tennessee Wesleyan in the last outing, pouring it on in a 104-43 victory as every active Golden Eagle scored at least four points in the game. Maaliya Owens scored 23, while Yaubryon Chambers scored a career-high 19, and Anna Walker, Peyton Carter and Kiera Hill each scored 10.
As a team, the Golden Eagles are averaging 66.3 points, while allowing an average of 65.6. Tech is shooting .419 from the field, .333 from 3-point range and .707 from the free-throw line. Owens is the only double-digit average scorer on the season at 14.0 points, while Grimes (8.4), Chambers (8.3), Reagan Hurst (8.3) and Walker (8.0) are all averaging more than eight points a game. Grimes leads the team in rebounding with a 4.8-carom average, while Cayla Cowart is averaging 2.9 assists per game.
Tech will hit the road later in the week to take on North Alabama on Thursday to close out the non-conference portion of the schedule.
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.