COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – It's a rivalry as old as the Tennessee hills, and just because Tennessee Tech and Middle Tennessee play in different conferences these days, it hasn't diminished the intensity when the two in-state schools tangle.
And so it was Sunday afternoon in Eblen Center, when carloads of blue clad MTSU fans made the short trek up the plateau and Golden Eagles fans countered in purple and gold.
In the 91st meeting between these two squads, the Blue Raiders size and quickness got the better end of the deal, winning 98-76.
The Golden Eagles were troubled with fouls in the first half, and saw the Blue Raiders attempt 20 free throws, connecting on 11. Tech managed to keep MTSU in check as they went into the break down just eight, 40-32.
The long range shot of Hannah Goolsby helped the Golden Eagles stay relevant in the first. The Cookeville native went three-for-three from distance.
Senior Candace Parson was one of the Golden Eagles who got into foul trouble early, limiting her to just 10 minutes and six points in the first half.
Parson brought her A-game in the second half, connecting on seven of her nine shots, and finished with a career-high 25 points, adding seven rebounds, and two blocks.
Goolsby finished with 15 points for the game, while going four-of-four from deep, adding two assists and a steal.
Junior Samaria Howard joined Parson and Goolsby in double-digits, adding 13 for the Golden Eagles, while grabbing three boards, and adding two assists. Freshman Yaktavia "Shug" Hickson was a spark of the bench, adding eight point, while dishing out a career-high five assists. She also added two rebounds, a block, and a steal.
The Blue Raiders outscored the Golden Eagle 50-32 in the paint, getting 24 points from center Cheyenne Parker, who also dished out six assists.
Joining Parker in double-figures was the game's leading scorer, Olivia Jones who held the lone double-double with 30 points and 12 rebounds. Ty Petty added 18 points, while dishing out six assists.
MTSU also converted off the Golden Eagles 19 turnovers, scoring 22 points, including 12 off of fast breaks.
Tech force MTSU into 15 turnovers, but it just was not enough.
Both squads shot well on the day, the Golden Eagles connecting on 55.1-percent of its shots, while MTSU shot 58.1-percent. Tech fell to 3-10, while MTSU moved to 6-4.
With all of its non-conference business out of the way, the Golden Eagles will now turn their full attention toward an Ohio Valley Conference championship, beginning their 16-game league schedule on New Year's Day. Tech visits Eastern Illinois for a 1 p.m. contest on Jan. 1, followed by a game at SIUE on Jan. 3.
Tech's OVC home season begins on Thursday, Jan. 8, with a 5:30 p.m. game to open a doubleheader against Murray State in Eblen Center.
