By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – A year ago when the Tennessee Tech women's basketball team opened the season at Chattanooga, the Golden Eagles started strong, but went cold in the second and third quarters as the Mocs dominated under the basket.
Saturday night, it was the exact opposite for Tech as the Golden Eagles shot a scorching 58.9 percent from the field, including an 80.0 percent rate in the second quarter and 60.0 percent in the fourth. Thaat hot hand led Tech to an 85-58 victory over Chattanooga.
Tech (2-0) returns to action on Thursday as it travels to Vanderbilt for a 6 p.m. matchup before returning home for a home showdown with Middle Tennessee on Nov. 22.
The Golden Eagles also dominated in the paint, scoring 46 points as the Tech players were able to work their way in to the basket.
Five players led Tech with double-digit scoring as Anna Jones narrowly missed a double-double with 17 points and nine rebounds, while also collecting six assists and three steals. Jones was 7-for-10 from the field and 2-for-3 from the free-throw line.
Maaliya Owens went 6-for-11 from the field as she added 15 points, while Megan Clark and Jada Guinn each had 11 and Kesha Brady scored 10. Guinn, who tied her career high in assists against Bethel, set a new career mark on Saturday, dishing out eight assists.
Tech also had six blocks in the victory, including three for Mackenzie Coleman.
Defense led to offense for the Golden Eagles as Tech collected 19 points off turnovers, creating 22 points on fast break situations, and controlling the defensive glass with 27 defensive rebounds to Chattanooga's 11 offensive caroms.
The Mocs kept pace for much of the first quarter, but a 10-0 run to close out the first quarter was enough to create separation with the Golden Eagles leading 23-10 after the opening stanza. Both teams ended with 18 points in the second quarter, then Tech continued to break away, outscoring UTC 21-15 in the third quarter and 23-15 in the fourth quarter.
Chattanooga was 4-for-10 from 3-point range in the first half. The Mocs went empty from long range in the second half, going 0-for-9 from beyond the arc. UTC hit four of its 16 shots in the first quarter, then went 4-for-14 in the fourth.
Dana Jarrells led Chattanooga in scoring with 13 points, while Karsen Murphy had 10 points. Abbey Cornelius led UTC in rebounds with nine boards.
Photo | Jim Dillon
