By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
MARTIN, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech women's basketball team took three on the chin against UT Martin last season with the Skyhawks winning 67-58 in Cookeville, 67-37 at Martin and 79-71 in the Ohio Valley Conference quarterfinals in Evansville.
It's a different season and a different team, so the Golden Eagles are looking to break last year's futility streak as Tech heads to the Elam Center to take on the Skyhawks on Saturday.
Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. Dylan Vazzano will call the action on 106.1 The Eagle, while the game will also be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required).
The Skyhawks have fallen in three of their last four games, dropping a six-point loss at Lindenwood, a three-point defeat to Eastern Illinois and a 16-point loss at Tennessee State sandwiching a 72-65 victory over SIUE.
While UTM has a 7-13 record and a 4-5 mark in the OVC, the Skyhawks have seen most of their success this season at home, posting a 5-5 record in the Elam Center with just two wins on the road.
The last time the Golden Eagles went to Martin though was a tough day. Tech fell 67-37 back on February 29 with just one player – Reghan Grimes – scoring in double figures. The Golden Eagles attempted 58 shots – 10 more than the Skyhawks – but just 15 fell through with two from long-range.
The Skyhawks had four double-digit scorers, led by Anaya Brown, who was 8-for-12 from the field and 6-for-7 at the line. She also had 12 boards for the double-double, while also collecting three steals and two blocks.
Tech ended up shooting 25.9 percent for the game, 11.8 from 3-point range.
The fortunes improved marginally in the OVC quarterfinals, but the Skyhawks were on fire from the field, shooting 70 percent in the first frame and 72 percent in the fourth. Tech forced UT Martin into 24 turnovers and used 12 offensive boards to collect 12 second-chance points.
It was also a game where both teams rained threes as the Golden Eagles hit 15, the Skyhawks 14.
Kenley McCarn led UTM with 31 points on 12-for-17 shooting in the contest, while Maaliya Owens led five double-digit scorers for the Golden Eagles with 17. Peyton Carter and Reghan Grimes both had 12, Cayla Cowart scored 12 and Anna Walker chipped in with 11.
As a team, the Skyhawks are averaging 66.1 points and allowing 69.6 as they shoot .420 from the field, .310 from 3-point range and .729 from the stripe as they average 5.6 3-pointers and 14.2 free throws made. Brown averages 13.7 points per game and a team-best 5.4 rebounds as she also leads the team in blocks with 25.
Shae Littleford is averaging 12.0 points and McCarn 11.9. McCarn also leads the team in assists with 48, while Littleford has the top steals total with 39.
The Golden Eagles average 69.2 points and allow 62.5 as they shoot .421 from the floor, .352 from 3-point range and .730 at the line with an average of 7.2 treys and 14.4 free throws made.
Tech has four players averaging double-digits with Grimes leading the way with 13.1, while also leading the Golden Eagles in steals. Peyton Carter is averaging 11.9 points, while leading Tech in assists with 68. True freshman Chloe Larry is averaging 10.8 points, while Trevecca transfer Keeley Carter is averaging 10.1 and leads the Golden Eagles in scoring average in OVC play alone with a 13.4 clip. The EIU contest is the only game the Tech newcomer has scored in single digits in league competition.
Following Saturday's visit to the Elam Center, the Golden Eagles will travel to Morehead State and Southern Indiana next week before returning home to take on SIUE on Feb. 6.
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 | Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
