By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech women's basketball team starts the 2024-25 season in earnest Monday night as the Golden Eagles open the campaign against Emory & Henry at the Hooper Eblen Center.
Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. Dylan Vazzano and Steve Smith will have the call on ESPN+ (subscription required).
Monday will be First Horizon Poster Night with Tech basketball posters given away and a team autograph session following the game.
Monday's game is the first action of the season for Emory & Henry, but it will be an exhibition contest for the Wasps, while the game will count for the Golden Eagles. E&H finished 10-18 last season, 5-15 in the South Atlantic Conference and was picked 11th in their preseason poll this past Friday.
Junior forward Breanna Yarber was named to the All-SAC Preseason First-Team roster, while seniors Emma Santoro and Hannah Spainhour, as well as sophomore Gracyn Hall, were all named Players to Watch.
Last season, E&H averaged 69.4 points per game, shooting 41.5 percent from the field, 30.8 percent from long range and 77.1 from the free-throw line. The Wasps also averaged 38.4 rebounds, 16.3 assists and 8.8 steals per game.
Meanwhile, the Golden Eagles got an interesting test from Lipscomb in its exhibition contest this past Tuesday. In a close battle, Lipscomb took the 74-72 lead as the visiting Bisons closed out the game on a 7-0 run. Tech hit a potentially game-tying shot, but the officials ruled that the shot came after the final buzzer had sounded.
With a lineup shift after the injury to redshirt junior Reagan Hurst, the Golden Eagles saw some strong performances. Peyton Carter led the way with 17 points and six rebounds, while true freshman Chloe Larry had 13 points in her preseason debut. Anna Walker and Keeley Carter each narrowly missed double-doubles in the game as Walker scored 12 and pulled down nine boards, while Carter had nine and nine. Reghan Grimes ended the game with 10 points and six boards.
Last season, Tech averaged 69.9 points and 34.7 rebounds per game, while shooting .414 from the field, .342 from 3-point range and .769 at the charity stripe. The Golden Eagles also averaged 16.9 assists and 9.9 steals per game.
With the exhibition schedule out of the way, Tech will play three of its first four games in the Hooper Eblen Center. Following a Nov. 7 contest at Chattanooga, the Golden Eagles will return home to take on North Alabama on Sunday at 6 p.m., then host Jackson State on Nov. 14.
Season tickets for Tennessee Tech basketball are on sale now – call (931) 372-3940, visit the Hooper Eblen Center ticket office or order online at TTUsports.com.
Photo | Jim Dillon
