CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Tennessee Tech women’s
basketball head coach Sytia Messer collected the first win of her
head coaching career on Saturday evening as the Golden Eagles flew
past the Air Force Falcons, 81-49, in the consolation game of the
Islander Tip-Off Tournament.
With the win, the Golden Eagles even their record on the season at
1-1, while Air Force drops to 0-2 on the young season.
Sophomore Tacarra Hayes finished with 16 points on Saturday
after posting 21 in Friday's game, and she was named to the
Islander Tip-Off All-Tournament Team for her performance.
Freshman Kylie Cook had an impressive game for Tennessee Tech,
finishing with a game-high 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the
field, including 3-of-7 from downtown. Cook was also big on the
boards, finishing with a team-high seven rebounds. On the defensive
end, Cook posted a pair of blocks and a pair of steals, both team
highs.
Other Golden Eagles in double-figure scoring included Hayes (16),
sophomore Krystal Stirrup (11) and sophomore Rachel Glidden (10).
Hayes also added six rebounds and six assists, while Stirrup also
pulled down six boards for the team.
For the game, Tech shot 45.3 percent from the field and 41.9
percent from 3-point range compared to Air Force who was just 27.5
percent from the field and 11.1 percent from downtown.
The Golden Eagles did a nice job of moving the ball against the
Falcons 2-3 zone and finished with 19 assists on their 29 field
goals.
Tech finished the game with 13 made 3-pointers as Stirrup and
Glidden each had three and freshman Katy Cooke and Hayes each
posted two.
The Golden Eagles held a 34-24 lead at halftime before opening the
second half on a 12-0 run to take a commanding 46-24 advantage.
Tech kept the pressure on and did not allow the Falcons to get back
in the game as the Golden Eagles cruised to a 32-points
victory.
Tech returns to action on Tuesday, November 17 when the Golden
Eagles travel to Waco, Texas to take on Baylor.
All-Tournament
Team
Tacarra Hayes, Tennessee Tech
Raimee Beck, Air Force
Tierney Jenkins, Alabama
LaToya King, Alabama
Deziree Green, TAMUCC
MVP: Jade Davis, TAMUCC
