By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Tennessee Tech used the glass to great effect on Saturday as it was the rebounding effort that helped the Golden Eagles take a 67-58 victory over SIUE.
Tech won the battle on the glass 44-37, but it was the offensive rebounds that put the Golden Eagles on top as Tech doubled the offensive boards 20-10, scoring 21 second-chance points to SIUE's five. With the extra opportunities, the Golden Eagles were able to get five more field goals and 17 more shot attempts.
While the first shots weren't falling, Tech never gave up. The Golden Eagles shot 24-for-68 from the field and 6-for-24 from 3-point range. They also went 13-for-22 at the line. With as potent as SIUE's offense is – despite their winless record in conference play – the Golden Eagles were set on getting as many shots as they could and keeping the ball out of the Cougars' hands.
With the effort to pull away the loose ball, the second-chance opportunities also added to Tech's point total in the paint, outscoring SIUE 34-18 under the basket.
SIUE never had the lead in the contest, but the Cougars did make it interesting in the second half, tying the game at 39-all with 6:57 left in the third quarter. Even after the Golden Eagles extended the lead back out to six before the quarter came to a close, SIUE chipped away, making it a one-point game with 8:38 remaining.
After the Cougars' Sofie Lewis hit a 3-pointer off an offensive rebound with 2:56 left to make it a 60-58 Tech lead, SIUE did not score another point in the contest, allowing the Golden Eagles to score the last seven points unanswered.
Maaliya Owens led the way for the Golden Eagles as she scored 16 points, including a 6-for-6 effort at the free-throw line. Anna Walker picked up 13 points, and Peyton Carter collected her second career double-double as she scored 10 points and led all players with 11 rebounds. The double-double was Carter's first since the 2021-22 season against Tennessee Wesleyan.
Tech also got a strong effort from Yaubryon Chambers, who scored six of her nine points and pulled down three rebounds in the fourth quarter to close the door on the Cougars.
Macy Silvey was the only double-digit scorer for SIUE (3-18, 0-8 OVC), collecting 16 points as she shot 6-for-13 from the floor and knocking down four of the Cougars' nine 3-pointers. She also led the team in rebounds with nine.
The Golden Eagles (9-10, 4-4 OVC) return home Thursday as they host OVC leader Southern Indiana on Thursday night in the Eblen Center. The Screaming Eagles are the only undefeated team in league play with an 8-0 mark.
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 | Patrick Clark, Athlete's Eye
