By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The cheers of the Upper Cumberland's youth filled the air in the Hooper Eblen Center on Friday morning as the Tennessee Tech women's basketball team claimed the 82-58 victory over the University of the Cumberlands on Education Day.
In all, the official attendance of the game was stated as 6,024 – just 89 spectators away from tying the program's attendance record in the Hooper Eblen Center. The current record is 6,113 as the Golden Eagles defeated Middle Tennessee 79-69 on Feb. 3, 1990.
True freshman Chloe Larry paced the Golden Eagles (6-3) with 23 points, shooting 7-for-12 from the field, including 3-of-6 from long range, and 6-for-7 at the free-throw line. The Bossier City, La., native also collected five rebounds and three assists.
Four other Tech players scored in double figures as Anna Walker had 14 points, eight rebounds, three steals, two blocks and an assist, while also going 6-for-6 at the stripe. Reghan Grimes, fresh off a 26-spot at Colorado on Tuesday, added 14 points on 6-for-9 shooting and 2-for-3 at the line with three rebounds, a block and a steal.
Taris Thornton scored 13 points for Tech, including a 6-for-9 day at the free-throw line, with seven boards, two assists, two blocks and two steals. Keeley Carter also reached the double-digit mark with 10 points, dishing out five assists and collecting a steal.
Cumberlands (10-1 – Friday's game does not count against their record as it was an exhibition contest for the Patriots) fought hard against Tech and even outscored the Golden Eagles in the third quarter 18-17. UC had a tough day at the free-throw line, shooting 15-of-30, which could have potentially made the deficit single-digits with a better day.
That said, the Patriots showed why they are ranked No. 7 in the NAIA with strong performances from their roster. Kassie Monday led UC with 20 points, shooting 6-for-12 from the field and 8-for-12 at the line as she also dished out six assists. Twin sister Kaylie Monday had 14 points on 5-for-10 shooting with three 3-pointers while pulling down a team-high eight assists with a steal.
The Golden Eagles made Cumberlands work for its points, holding the Patriots well under their 97.3 points-per-game average as UC shot 36.4 percent from the field, 20.0 from 3-point range and 50.0 at the line. Tech also forced the Patriots into 17 turnovers, which were converted into 21 points.
Tech, on the other hand, shot 44.1 percent from the field, 38.1 percent from long range and 75.9 from the line as the Golden Eagles were 22-for-29 at the charity stripe. Tech shot 56.3 percent in the first quarter as it outscored the Patriots 27-15 in the opening quarter to surge out to a strong start and never looked back.
With the victory, the Golden Eagles finish the non-conference slate tied for the fewest losses in a regulation season, joining the 1997-98, 2005-06, 2010-11 and 2018-19 squads who all only had three out-of-league defeats. Tech went 3-2 in non-conference in the COVID-shortened season of 2020-21, but it was a limited schedule.
Tech will take a week's break as the University holds its final exams and commencement ceremony, then the Golden Eagles will head to Western Illinois on Dec. 17 and Lindenwood on Dec. 19 to open Ohio Valley Conference play.
The Golden Eagle women will return to the Hooper Eblen Center on Jan. 2 as they take on defending OVC champ Southern Indiana.
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
