By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Peyton Carter surpassed her previous career high in scoring before the first half had ended. She didn't even miss a shot in the first half as she paced the Tennessee Tech women's team against Southeast Missouri on Thursday night.
Her output in the first 20 minutes, along with double-digit nights for Maaliya Owens and Anna Walker, allowed the Golden Eagles to take a 76-66 victory over the Redhawks.
Leading by as many as 23 points midway through the third quarter, Tech (10-12, 5-6 Ohio Valley Conference) had to hold off a furious comeback from SEMO as the Redhawks cut the game back to within four points with 5:03 remaining in the contest. However, the Golden Eagles were able to stave off SEMO in the remainder, holding them to just three points the rest of the way.
Carter's career night started off with a pair of 3-pointers in the first quarter, then drained three more in the second. In the first 20 minutes of the game, she was 6-for-6 from the field and 5-for-5 from 3-point range to score 17 points in the half. She ended the game with 19 points and seven rebounds, while also dishing out six assists. Reagan Hurst also had seven dimes as the duo combined for 13 of Tech's 19 assists.
Owens picked up her first career double-double as she scored 18 points and pulled down a career-high 10 rebounds. Walker scored 14 points on an efficient 6-for-8 shooting with three boards.
As a team, Tech knocked down nine 3-pointers and shot 44.1 percent from the field for the game.
The Golden Eagles outscored SEMO 17-12 in the first quarter with both teams hovering around 33-percent shooting. Tech took advantage of 10 SEMO first-half turnovers, converting into 10 points, then used the offensive glass to create 14 points.
As the Golden Eagles extended their lead by outscoring the Redhawks 28-21 in the second quarter, both teams shot over 60-percent from the field, but the difference came as Tech was able to create seven more shots and making four of those. Carter's 11 points in the quarter paced the Golden Eagles.
Walker led Tech in the third quarter with a 10-spot on 4-for-5 shooting, but Alecia Doyle started to get the Redhawks back into the game as she dropped 12 points on 5-for-10 shooting in the period. Her effort continued into the fourth quarter as she scored 12 more points of SEMO's 16 in the last 10 minutes on 4-for-5 shooting and 3-for-4 at the line.
The Redhawks cooled off, allowing Tech to score the final nine points of the game and preserve the win.
Doyle ended the game as SEMO's only double-digit scorer, collecting 31 points on 12-of-23 shooting, while Jaliyah Green scored nine points.
The Golden Eagles return to action Saturday afternoon as they take on Lindenwood. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
