By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The road portion of the 2024-25 regular-season schedule came to a close Saturday at the Show Me Center with Tennessee Tech cruising for the 78-50 victory over host Southeast Missouri.
It was a dominant performance, one where the Golden Eagles led by as many as 35 points before shifting down gear to close out the game.
The victory was important in many other ways though – the win gave Tech its 11th straight, tying the longest in the Kim Rosamond era with the same tally between Dec. 17, 2019, and January 25, 2020. The streak is also tied for the fifth-longest winning streak in program history.
Tech also had a 12-game winning streak in 1991-92, a 17-game run in 1976-77, and 18-game span in 2000-01 and the program's longest stretch is 21 games in 1976-77 – a year where the Golden Eagles went 28-2.
The win also gave Tech its 20th win of the year, giving the program its 31st 20-win season all-time and the fourth in the Rosamond era.
The Golden Eagles improve to 20-5 on the year and 14-2 in the Ohio Valley Conference. With Lindenwood's 75-56 victory over Southern Indiana, Tech and the Lions continue to be tied atop the league standings, with Eastern Illinois still in striking distance after a 66-62 win over UT Martin.
Five players scored in double figures for the Golden Eagles, led by true freshman Chloe Larry, who almost had a perfect day as she went 7-for-8 from the field, knocked down a season-best four of five 3-point tries and was 2-for-2 at the line. The reigning OVC Freshman of the Week also had five rebounds, two assists and three steals.
Anna Walker was efficient in her 14 points, going 5-for-7 and 2-for-2 from 3-point land, while knocking down both free-throw tries. Walker also collected five boards and two steals. Keeley Carter also had 14 on the scoresheet as she was 4-for-7 from the field with a 3-pointer and 5-for-6 at the line. Carter also collected four boards and a team-high five assists.
Peyton Carter also passed the decade mark as she scored 12 points with a pair of treys and a 4-for-4 effort at the line, with six rebounds, three assists and four steals. Taris Thornton hit double digits as well with 10 points, five rebounds, an assist, a steal and a block.
SEMO (4-21, 2-14 OVC) had two double-digit producers as Ainaya Williams scored 11 points with five rebounds and two blocks, while Jariyah Williamson was 4-for-6 with two 3-pointers for 10 points accompanying a rebound and two steals.
The Golden Eagles came out on fire and never looked back, shooting 46.7 percent from the field as Tech outscored SEMO 21-11 in the opening stanza. In the second, Tech was 9-for-15 from the field for a scorching 60-percent clip.
Tech also made the Redhawks pay on the glass as the Golden Eagles pulled down 35 boards to 22, including an 11-8 advantage on the offensive glass. Tech had 16 second-chance points and also created 24 points off of 18 SEMO turnovers.
Now the Golden Eagles return home for the final four games of the regular season as Tech hosts UT Martin on Thursday, followed by Tennessee State next Saturday, then Western Illinois and a showdown with Lindenwood in the final week of the regular season.
Tickets for those final four home games are on sale now – call (931) 372-3940, visit the Hooper Eblen Center ticket office or order online at TTUsports.com.
Photo | Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information