By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Before Saturday, Tennessee Tech had only beaten Little Rock once in five meetings. It was when it mattered though – a victory in the 2023 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament championship game.
On Saturday, the regular-season streak against the Trojans was dashed as the Golden Eagle women didn't just beat Little Rock, the Tech women dominated, putting together a 21-point victory over the visitors and giving Tech an 8-0 record at home this season with a 70-49 victory.
Tech (12-5, 6-2 OVC) has won 12 straight home games at the Eblen Center, stretching back to last season's victory over Tennessee State. The Golden Eagles are on the road the next two weekends and return home on February 6.
The Golden Eagles had a dominant performance with a team effort and defense creating offense. In the first quarter alone, Tech outscored Little Rock 16-6 as the Trojans hit just two field goals on 10 tries and the Golden Eagles were 5-for-9 with four 3-pointers.
Reghan Grimes and Chloe Larry gave Tech a boost early as Grimes scored seven points on 2-for-2 shooting from the field with a 3-pointer and 2-for-2 at the free-throw line, while the true freshman Larry knocked down two of her 3-point shots for six points.
Grimes added eight more points in the second quarter as she was 4-for-6. Keeley Carter, who was trying to play through an injury from Thursday's contest against Southeast Missouri, gave Tech a lift in the period as she was 3-for-4 from the field with a made free throw for seven points as well as four rebounds and two assists.
Tech led the game 33-18 at the intermission, but Little Rock outscored the Golden Eagles 23-20 in the third quarter to try to chip away. The advantage was short-lived as Tech outscored the Trojans 17-8 in the fourth, including the final 10 unanswered points to close out the contest.
Peyton Carter powered Tech in the second half as she scored 11 of her 16 points to complete her fourth career double-double with 11 rebounds. It is Tech's sixth double-double of the season and the first for Carter since Feb. 24 last season against Eastern Illinois.
The Golden Eagle defense forced 17 Little Rock turnovers, converting into 23 points. Tech also outrebounded the Trojans 36-27.
Tech ended the game with four players in double-figure scoring, led by Grimes with 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting and 4-for-6 from the line. In addition to Carter's 16, Keeley Carter ended the contest with 14 points on 6-for-7 shooting. Larry ended the game with 10 points. Peyton Carter and Larry both collected a team-best five assists.
Faith Lee led Little Rock (8-9, 6-2 OVC) with 13 points despite foul trouble. Emerald Parker also added 11 points on 5-for-7 shooting, while also pulling down nine rebounds.
With the Tech victory, the Trojans fall into a four-way tie for second place in the conference with Southern Indiana, the Golden Eagles and Lindenwood at 6-2 – two games back from undefeated Eastern Illinois at 8-0 in the league. UT Martin (4-4) is sixth, followed by Western Illinois (3-5), Morehead State (2-6), Southeast Missouri (2-6), SIUE (1-7) and Tennessee State (0-8).
The Golden Eagles return to action on Thursday as they travel to Tennessee State, followed by a trip to UT Martin on Saturday.
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
