By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech women's basketball team started quickly and finished strong. It was the middle two stanzas, however, that made it a tough day for the Golden Eagles.
As Tech shook off the rust of opening the season in mid-December, the Golden Eagles still gave Chattanooga a fight in a 76-65 loss on Friday afternoon.
"The positive tonight was that we finally got back on the court to play a game, and we are thankful to have that opportunity," said Tech head coach Kim Rosamond. "Anyone that follows sports knows the challenges in trying to play a season this year and we have had our share of roadblocks the last 19 days. But we will take the lessons we were given tonight work to get better and try to improve for Sunday. We have a lot of work ahead, but this team isn't afraid to do the work."
Senior guard Kesha Brady put her effort into overdrive as she collected 11 of her 26 points in the final quarter as Tech bounced back from a 21-point deficit. She narrowly missed a double-double as she pulled down a team-high eight boards in the contest.
Still, it was a tough first day of the season.
"The lack of practice time as a team was evident in every facet of the game tonight," said Rosamond. "Defensively, we were just bad -- no other way to put it. We had continuous breakdowns that led to easy baskets or putting Chattanooga at the free-throw line time after time. We had no flow or rhythm offensively, combined with going 3-for-22 beyond the 3-point line, and it makes for a tough night."
But it seemed like a different game at the start. Tech had an 8-0 run to open the contest, then went on another 6-0 series as the Golden Eagles knocked down six of their first seven shots, going 7-for-12 in the opening 10 minutes. Tech led the game 17-10 after the first 10 minutes.
That torrid pace didn't hold for long. In the second quarter, the Golden Eagles were hampered by a 7:08 scoring drought, hitting one of 11 field-goal attempts in that span. It didn't improve much in the third quarter as Tech was 2-for-14 from the field and 1-for-9 from 3-point range.
Chattanooga used a 15-0 run during that stretch, bolstered by a 9-for-11 effort from the field, to take a 37-26 halftime lead.
"I was encouraged by how we settled in after the first few minutes to start the game and saw several positives in the first quarter," Rosamond said. "Then fatigue, turnovers and foul trouble hit us, and we didn't regroup and respond. It may take us some time to get where we need to be because we are so far behind from a team standpoint, but we will get there. When you are behind the scenes seeing the sacrifices these kids are putting in just to be able to play, it was rewarding just to see them get to compete."
Foul trouble also handcuffed Tech as Anna Jones and Mackenzie Coleman were whistled for their third fouls in the period. The Mocs were able to extend their lead further, outscoring Tech 23-12, to hold on to a 59-39 advantage through three.
The fourth quarter, however, was much more indicative of what the fans could expect from the Tech women this season as the Golden Eagles came roaring back, outscoring Chattanooga 26-17.
In addition to Brady's 11 points, Tech's defense also put together a great effort in the final 10 minutes, recording six steals and six defensive rebounds, while holding Chattanooga to 5-of-13 shooting from the field, including 1-for-4 from long range.
It was an uncharacteristic day from the field for the Golden Eagles as Tech ended the game 3-for-22 from 3-point range, with Coleman, Brady and Megan Clark knocking down a long-range shot apiece. Tech was also 20-for-59 from the floor, compared to Chattanooga's 27-for-67.
The Golden Eagles were more efficient at the charity stripe though, hitting 22 of 31 from the line, while the Mocs were 16-for-26.
In addition to Brady's 26, Coleman also added 17 points.
Eboni Williams led Chattanooga (1-2) with 14 points and five rebounds, while Brooke Hampel added 12 points and Bria Dial added 10.
The Golden Eagles (0-1) open Ohio Valley Conference play on Sunday as Tech entertains Jacksonville State at 1 p.m. in the Eblen Center, part of a twinbill with the men's team following after.
Tickets for Sunday's game are available at TTUsports.com, by calling (931) 372-3940 or through the Eblen Center ticket office. Seating is limited in accordance with NCAA and OVC protocols.
For updates on the Tech women's basketball team, follow the program at TTUsports.com or on the team's social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
