Hayes has Tech's first triple-double since Taunya Lovelace in 1994

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Sophomore Tacarra Hayes became only the fourth player in school history to post a triple-double and Tennessee Tech made a season-best 11 3-pointers, but visiting Morehead State’s veteran squad offset that with its trademark long-range scoring to claim a 71-63 Ohio Valley Conference victory Thursday night in Eblen Center.

The MSU Eagles (12-5/5-0 OVC) remained tied for first place in the OVC standings with an unblemished league mark and set a school record with their fifth consecutive road victory. It was the first home loss of the year for Tech (6-8/1-3 OVC) after opening the year with four straight triumphs.

Hayes finished the contest with 15 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds, reaching double figures in rebounds in the final two minutes.

Only three other players in the 40-year history of women’s basketball at Tech have achieved triple-doubles. The last one occurred 15 years ago when Taunya Lovelace had 14 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists against New Mexico on Nov. 14, 1994.

In addition to that performance by Lovelace, Chris Moye had six triple-doubles between 1984 and 1986 and Cecilia Ramsey had two, with one each in 1988 and 1990.

On Thursday night, senior Tiffany Hamilton went 6-for-8 from long range and led Morehead State with 21 points, along with seven rebounds and three assists. She was one of three Eagles in double figures, with Courtney Lumpkin adding 17 and Tiffanie Stephens scoring 15 along with eight rebounds and three assists.

MSU shot 39.4 percent (13-for-33) from long range, while going 23-for-64 from the field for 35.9 percent. The Eagles finished with a 45-44 rebounds edge and had only eight turnovers.

In addition to Hayes’ numbers, twin sisters Kellie and Kylie Cook scored 16 points each for the Golden Eagles. Kellie finished with 16 points and nine rebounds while Kylie had 16 points and six rebounds.

Tech shot the exact same numbers from the field (23-for-64 for 35.9 percent) and was 11-for-28 from long range for 39.3 percent. The Golden Eagles had 15 turnovers.

Tech led 37-31 at halftime as Kylie Cook scored 14 points in the first 20 minutes, hitting 4-for-5 from beyond the arc. Tech’s largest lead of the contest came at the start of the second half as Hayes hit a layup for an eight-point bulge, 39-31.

Morehead State used four 3-pointers over the next three minutes to put together a 13-5 run to tie the game at 44-44, with Lumpkin’s trey knotting the contest with 16:11 remaining.

The lead changed hands a couple of times over the next seven minutes before MSU pushed ahead to stay. A layup by Lumpkin with 9:58 to play put the Eagles on top 53-52 and Tech never caught up.

The Golden Eagles did get to within one point, 62-61, with 2:55 to play on Kellie Cook’s third 3-pointer of the contest but Hamilton knocked down a three 13 seconds later and Morehead held on from there.

The Golden Eagles are home again Saturday night when they host Eastern Kentucky at 5:30 p.m. in the opening game of another Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader.

For tickets, visit or call the Athletics Ticket Office in Eblen Center at (931) 372-3940.