Posted: Jan 04, 2025
By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech caught fire at just the right time on Saturday as the Golden Eagles made second-half adjustments to pull away from Morehead State, taking a 76-63 victory in the Eblen Center.
Tech improves to 9-4 overall, 3-1 in the Ohio Valley Conference, while Morehead State falls to 6-8, 1-3 in the league.
The Golden Eagles couldn't get much separation from the visiting Eagles in the first half as Tech outscored Morehead 16-10 in the opening quarter even after the visitors held a 3-point lead at the six-minute mark. Morehead State outscored Tech 17-15 in the second quarter to make it a 31-27 game at the intermission.
However, the Golden Eagles responded with a 17-6 run into the media timeout, scoring the first eight points of the third quarter before Morehead hit its first basket of the new half. The visitors were able to cut it down to 10 points before the quarter ended but that was the closest the game would be as Tech extended its advantage back out to 21 points with 2:44 remaining in the game.
Morehead State ended the game outscoring Tech 10-2 in the final 2:24.
The Golden Eagles had a strong second half from the field, shooting 16-for-30 and 6-for-12 from long range. Peyton Carter scored 14 of her 16 points in the second half, while Keeley Carter had 12 of her 15 points in the same span. Carter was 3-for-3 from the field, including 2-for-2 from 3-point range and 4-for-5 from the free-throw line.
It was a big jump from the first two quarters as the Golden Eagles shot 35.7 percent in the first half, hitting 10 of 28 shots with a 3-for-9 effort from 3 and 8-for-12 at the free-throw line. Tech finished the game shooting 44.8 percent (26-for-58) from the floor, 42.9 percent (9-for-21) from 3 and 68.2 percent (15-for-22) at the line.
Tech dominated the boards 48-29 as Reghan Grimes pulled down 10 caroms to go along with her 11 points to collect her second-straight double-double. Tech freshmen had great games as Chloe Larry collected 11 points with six assists and eight rebounds, while Amelia Pfeiffer scored 10 points on 5-for-9 shooting.
The Golden Eagles were able to overcome 20 turnovers as MSU only converted those into 10 points, while Tech scored 13 points off 11 Eagle giveaways.
Chrishawn Coleman finished the day with a game-best 18 points on 9-for-15 shooting. Kate Novik scored 11 points on 5-for-16 shooting, while Alyssa Berry added 11 points as she went 6-for-6 at the free-throw line.
The Golden Eagles hit the road next week as they head to Eastern Illinois on Thursday, followed by a visit to SIUE on Saturday. Tech returns home on Jan. 16 as the Golden Eagles host Southeast Missouri.
Tickets for 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