By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – After an even first quarter, the Tennessee Tech women's basketball team just could not get shots to fall when they needed them the most on Saturday. While the Golden Eagles rallied back in the fourth quarter, Morehead State still escaped the Eblen Center with a 65-53 victory.
The Golden Eagles (9-12, 4-6 Ohio Valley Conference) hit the road next week as they head to Southeast Missouri and Lindenwood before coming back home on Feb. 13 against Tennessee State.
Tech was led by a trio of 10-point totals with Kiera Hill, Reagan Hurst and Maaliya Owens all hitting double digits in points, while Reghan Grimes had nine rebounds and Peyton Carter had seven boards and four assists.
The offenses were clicking early as both Tech and Morehead State combined for 58 points in the first 13 minutes of the game, then just four points in the final seven minutes of the half with the visitors going over five minutes without scoring, Tech just over four.
Morehead was on a torrid pace in the first quarter, shooting 10-for-14 from the field, while the Golden Eagles were 9-for-19 and 2-for-8 from 3-point range in the first quarter.
The numbers dropped quickly in the next two quarters. In the second, Tech shot 2-for-12, including 0-for-4 from long range. The Golden Eagles then went 2-for-15 in the third quarter, hitting one of six 3-point tries and going 2-for-2 at the line.
Morehead State outscored Tech 28-11 in those two quarters combined.
The Golden Eagles chipped away from what was a 19-point deficit early in the final stanza, outscoring the visitors 19-14 as Tech went 3-for-8 from beyond the arc and 8-for-8 at the line.
For the game, Tech shot 29.3 percent, hitting 17 of 58 shots – including 6-for-26 on 3-point tries. The Golden Eagles finished 13-for-14 at the free-throw line.
Where Tech shined at Morehead was in the paint. It was the reverse on Saturday as the visitors outscored Tech 38-14 there, while also collecting 19 fast-break points and scored 16 points on turnovers.
Veronica Charles harassed the Golden Eagles as she scored 19 points on 7-of-16 shooting and 4-for-5 at the line, while collecting five steals. Hallie Rhodes also scored in double figures, scoring 14 points on 7-of-17 shooting with eight rebounds. Blessing King led MSU (11-10, 6-4 OVC) on the glass, corralling 13 caroms.
Morehead finished the game shooting 45.5 percent (25-for-55) from the floor, while going 3-for-13 from 3 and 12-for-19 at the stripe.
Photo | Jim Dillon
