By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Anna Walker had the unconventional double-double on Saturday. The 14 points were big, but a 10-spot in blocks to break the single-game program record? Not too shabby at all.
That was just one of the pieces to the equation as Tennessee Tech leaves Evansville in a tie for the Ohio Valley Conference lead. The Golden Eagles topped defending conference champion Southern Indiana 81-62 for the regular-season sweep, then Lindenwood beat Eastern Illinois 57-55 for the Panthers' second-straight loss to put EIU, Lindenwood and Tech all square at the top of the OVC standings.
With the victory, Tech improves to 16-5 and 10-2 in the OVC after winning its seventh-straight game. It also gives the Golden Eagles their seventh-straight season with double-digit conference wins – the longest stretch in program history.
The win also clinches a spot for Tech in the OVC Basketball Championships back in Evansville next month. It's still a long way to go to secure the final seeding, but it is assured the Purple and Gold will be back in the Ford Center when all is said and done in the regular season.
The albatross in the room for the opposing Eagles – Screaming or Golden – was Tech's 21-0 run to open the third quarter. The game was pretty close through the first half, Tech holding serve with a 17-13 advantage in the first period, then inched a little bit further ahead with a 14-12 advantage to take a 31-25 lead at the intermission.
Then the Golden Eagles came out and scored 21 straight points over the first 5:13 of the new half. In that stretch, Tech went 6-for-7 from the field, 3-for-3 from 3-point range and 6-for-6 at the line to build up a 27-point advantage, the largest of the contest. Sophia Loden ended the Screaming Eagles futility streak – 0-for-4 with three blocked shots and five turnovers – with 4:47 remaining in the quarter as she drained a three.
USI (16-7, 8-4 OVC), who dropped its first game at home since December 2023 – ending a 20-game home winning streak – surged back to get back within 16 points at the end of the third period. The Screaming Eagles didn't have a bad third quarter – shooting 5-for-9 from the field, 2-for-2 from 3-point land and 6-for-6 at the line. It was just the Golden Eagles in the span shot 72.7 percent, knocking down eight of their 11 tries, was 3-for-4 from 3 and 9-for-10 at the line.
The closest the Screaming Eagles were able to cut the deficit down to was 11 points, which came twice in the fourth – once with 7:13 left, then again with 2:36 remaining in the game. However, every time USI tried to surge back within reach, Tech was able to extend the advantage back out to 18 the first time and 19 in the final seconds of the contest.
Keeley Carter led the Golden Eagles with 20 points, shooting 6-for-11 from the field with a pair of 3-pointers, while draining six of eight free throws. She also had five rebounds and three assists. True freshman Chloe Larry was almost perfect on the day – she was from the field, knocking down all six of her field goal attempts, but went 4-for-5 at the stripe.
Taris Thornton tried her hardest for a double-double, collecting 15 points om 5-for-8 shooting and 5-for-7 at the line, but was ruled short on the boards as she was credited with nine caroms to go with an assist, a steal and two blocks.
Walker tied the school record with nine blocks with 4:25 remaining in the game, joining Renay Adams and Anacia Wilkinson at the top of the single-game charts. However, the Tech graduate wasn't done yet as she blocked one more with 11 seconds left to put her in sole possession of the record. The 10 spot puts her at 129 blocks in her career, leapfrogging Tech Sports Hall of Famers Diane Seng (120) and Emily Christian (128) to take fifth place all-time in program history.
The Golden Eagles had 12 total blocks in the contest, which is tied for the second-most in a single game in program history. The record is 13 against Jacksonville State on Feb. 13, 2016, and the performance Saturday ties the Tennessee State game on March 4, 1991, the Morehead State game on Jan. 27, 2016, the Tennessee Wesleyan game on Dec. 29, 2019, and this season's win over North Alabama on Nov. 10.
Walker also had 14 points, five rebounds and three steals to complete her fifth career double-double and third this season – however, it's her first one with points and blocks.
Peyton Carter also scored in double figures as she chipped in 12 points with five rebounds, five steals to tie her career-best and an assist.
Vanessa Shafford led USI with 12 points, while Ali Saunders scored 11.
Tech completes the four-game road trip with a 4-0 record and now will look to return home to the Hooper Eblen Center on Thursday as they take on SIUE in a 5:30 p.m. contest.
Tickets for Tennessee Tech basketball are on sale now – call (931) 372-3940, visit the Hooper Eblen Center or order online at TTUsports.com.
Photo | Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
