By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
RICHMOND, Ky. – The difference statistically between Tennessee Tech and Eastern Kentucky pretty much came down to one thing on Saturday afternoon – the Colonels got to the free-throw line and the Golden Eagles didn't.
As Eastern Kentucky pulled away on runs, Tech responded chipping away and chipping away, even climbing back within one with 8:37 remaining in the contest. But as the Colonels started seeing the charity stripe more and more in the waning seconds, EKU was able to inflate its lead to the final margin of 73-65.
The defeat spoiled Tech's first two double-doubles of the season as senior Mackenzie Coleman grabbed her eighth career double-double and junior Anna Jones tacking on her first. Coleman led the Golden Eagles with 15 points and 10 boards, while Jones had 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Still, the difference came at the line. Tech ended the day with just one visit to the charity stripe as Jordan Brock was 1-for-2, both shots coming with 1:20 remaining in the first half. That's not to say EKU drew many more fouls – just seven more (18 to 11), with many coming in desperation effort in the final minute. Before that time EKU was 7-for-8 at the line, ballooning to 14-of-15 as time expired.
Eastern Kentucky got 22 points from freshman Kendall Wingler, who tied her career-high of 12 points in the first quarter alone. The Colonels also got double-digit scoring from freshman Alice Recanati with 19 points of 7-of-10 shooting, including 3-for-3 from long-range. Bria Bass added 11, going 5-for-6 from the free-throw line.
After a back-and-forth beginning, EKU soared out to two 11-point leads before the end of the first quarter, with Wingler scoring 12 of the Colonels' 23 points. The Golden Eagles employed a 9-0 run as Coleman trimmed EKU's lead back down to 31-30 with 1:53 left before the half. EKU was able to bring its advantage back up to six for a 40-34 lead at the intermission.
Tech opened the second half with six unanswered points with Coleman tying the game at the 6:12 mark, before the Colonels outscored Tech 11-2 as Anysa Jordan put EKU back up by nine (51-42) with 1:36 left in the third, its largest lead in the second half.
The Golden Eagles responded again, scoring eight unanswered with Coleman rounding out the run with a jumper to make it a 51-50 contest with 8:42 remaining. Kesha Brady also returned it to a one-point, 53-52 margin at 6:13. However, Tech was unable to put itself back on top. EKU extended its lead back out to eight, staying there as it went 7-for-7 at the free-throw line in the final 35 seconds.
Tech falls to 4-4 on the season, 2-3 in Ohio Valley play, while Eastern Kentucky improves to 4-5, 4-2 in the league.
The Golden Eagles return to action on Thursday as they host Belmont. Tipoff at the Eblen Center is slated for 5 p.m.
Photo | Steve Fohl, EKU Athletics
