MUNCIE, Ind. – Yaubryon Chambers had a solid debut for the Tennessee Tech women's basketball team on Monday, collecting 13 points on 6-of-9 shooting – one point shy of her career-high set as a member of the Vanderbilt roster.

 

However, Ball State saw six players score in double figures, with Bowling Green transfer Nyla Hampton proving to be a wrecking ball on defense, collecting eight steals, as the host Cardinals defeated Tech 97-64 on Monday morning.

 

BSU (1-0) forced Tech into 26 total turnovers in the contest, those converted into 31 points for the home team. Ball State also shot 63.2 percent from the field. Alex Richard led the Cardinals with 18 points on a 7-of-9 effort, while Mid-American Conference preseason first-teamer Ally Becki was a perfect 7-for-7 from the field – 2-for-2 from long-range – for 16 points, while also dishing out seven assists.

 

Maaliya Owens and Kiera Hill both finished the game with 11 points – Hill finishing out a 5-for-6 day. Peyton Carter also wrapped up in double-digits as she scored 10 points.

 

Tech's victory against Ball State last season hinged on the free-throw line, but the Golden Eagles didn't have the same success this time around, shooting 7-for-12 at the charity stripe. The Cardinals got 24 visits to the line, knocking down 16 shots. Tech was whistled for 25 total fouls with Annie Rauch drawing seven and Richard six.

 

The Golden Eagles did edge the Cardinals on rebounds 29-25 as Reghan Grimes and Carter paced Tech with five boards each, while Ana Barreto led BSU with seven caroms. Ball State converted all five of its offensive rebounds for 10 points. 

 

While Ball State's shooting percentage was scorching, Tech didn't have a bad day shooting by any stretch, hitting 51 percent from the floor. 

 

With the two teams feeling each other out in the first quarter, the Golden Eagles kept pace for the most part trailing 19-14 after the first 10 minutes, then tied the game early in the second quarter at 19. However, the Cardinals outscored Tech 24-9 the rest of the period, then 29-20 in the third and 25-16 in the fourth.

 

With the first game in the books, the Golden Eagles return to action next Wednesday as Tech hosts Chattanooga for the Celebration of Champions Night. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Eblen Center.

 

Tickets for Tennessee Tech basketball are on sale now – call (931) 372-3940, visit the Eblen Center ticket office or go online at TTUsports.com.