By: Rob Schabert, TTU Sports Information

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Southern Miss forced 20 turnovers and converted those into a comfortable advantage early Tuesday night, then had to hold off a furious fourth quarter comeback bid by Tennessee Tech to escape with a 69-57 non-conference victory over the Golden Eagles in Eblen Center.

The visiting Lady Eagles improved to 4-2 on the year while Tech's record dipped to 2-4. The loss halted a two-game home win streak for coach Jim Davis' team.

After three quarters, USM held a 26-9 advantage in points off turnovers, and that 17-point edge helped make up a large part of a 57-36 margin following three periods.

But Tech showed some fight in the fourth quarter, going on a 17-3 run to slice the deficit from 23 points down to nine with 1:18 remaining.

"At half time, we decided we were going to come out like the score was 0-0," Golden Eagle Hannah Goolsby said. "We need to work on being ready to play earlier in the game and get our rhythm going right away."

Brittany Dinkins led the way for USM with 21 points and five rebounds, while Jayla King added 19 points and five rebounds, shooting 7-for-11 from the field. Caitlin Jenkins added nine points and a game-best 10 rebounds to the winning side.

Senior Samaria Howard's 13 points and five rebounds topped the Golden Eagles. Hannah Goolsby added 10 points while Yaktavia Hickson produced 10 points and a game-best five assists.

"Shug [Hickson] was a spark for us in the second half," head coach Jim Davis said. "She came in and really gave us a lift in the momentum."

Tech shot 37.7 percent for the game (20-for-53) and 56 percent (13-for-23) from the free throw line. USM hit 44.8 percent (26-for-58) for the game including 6-for-12 from 3-point range. The visitors held a 39-33 edge on the boards.

"It doesn't get easier from hear," Davis remarked. "Hopefully we learned some lessons today because we have two tough road games ahead against teams with great athleticism."

Tech faces a pair of matinee contests in its next two games, heading out on a road trip to Ohio and North Carolina. On Thursday, the Golden Eagles face Xavier in a contest slated for 11 a.m. CT. The journey continues Saturday with a 1p.m. tilt at UNC Greensboro.

Broadcasts of both games can be heard on the Golden Eagle Sports Network and 106.1 The Eagle, with Dylan Vazzano courtside calling the action.