As the Tennessee Tech women's basketball team prepares for its final home game of the season with an outright OVC regular-season championship on the line, Senior Day offers a moment to honor a group of players who have left an undeniable mark on the program.

 

This class contains conference champions, record breakers, new faces and old, and they have propelled the Golden Eagles to one of the most historic seasons in program history.

 

Their legacy is etched in 98 career wins, including 67 in conference play. They have orchestrated an undefeated home season with 17 consecutive home wins, extended an active 14-game winning streak, and secured a share of the program's 19th OVC Regular-Season Championship—the first since 2012-13. Not to mention, they also set a program record for most OVC wins in a season with 17 headed into Saturday's showdown with Lindenwood.

 

As they take the court for the final time in Hooper Eblen Center, this senior class stands on the brink of history, with another championship pursuit ahead in Evansville next week and their final chapter yet to be written.

 

"This senior class is leaving an incredible legacy – not just in what they've accomplished, but in how they have done it," said Tennessee Tech head women's basketball coach Kim Rosamond. "They have led with toughness, selflessness and an unshakable belief in each other and this program. More than anything, they have defined what our theme for this year 'The Dash' truly means.

 

"The numbers next to their dash – 23 victories, 17 conference wins, an undefeated home record, an OVC Regular Season Championship are historic. But what I will remember most is the joy in the dash. The moments, the memories, the highs, the lows, the laughter, the bus rides, the locker room -- that is what truly matters. While today marks their last home game, our DASH together is far from over. Their impact on this program is lasting, and I have no doubt their best basketball is still ahead.  But aside from the wins, who each of them are as people says it all.  Riggs, Keeley, Taris, Anna, Peyton TTU WBB is better because of each of you."

 

For Keeley Carter, Peyton Carter, Taris Thornton, Anna Walker and manager Anna Riggs, Saturday's game is just the end of one chapter. There's still more ahead, but for one day, it's a day to look back at what they have meant to the Golden Eagles.

 

 

 

From the moment Keeley Carter stepped onto the court in the Hooper Eblen Center, she made her presence known. A proven winner even before donning the purple and gold, she seamlessly integrated into the team, bringing leadership, toughness, and a competitive drive that inspires those around her.

 

For four years at Trevecca, Keeley Carter put together a tremendous resume as she led the Trojans to their first-ever NCAA Division II tournament and set nearly every game, season and career record in the program's Division II era and was the nation's fourth-leading scorer in all of Division II for the 2023-24 season.

 

Her journey to Tennessee Tech was anything but conventional, but her ability to adapt and thrive speaks volumes about her character. It didn't take the Lafayette, Tenn., native long to make a name for herself in the Ohio Valley Conference, and to date, she has been named the league's Newcomer of the Week four times.

 

"Coming in, it wasn't necessarily that I was trying to make a new name for myself, but it was learning a new team, learning a new spot," Carter said. "It was completely different than what I was used to previously. It was a new culture, a new way of doing things. It was just different to me.

"I think the transition went well. The coaches and players helped me out and it made everything easy for me."

 

From the Colorado game on, Carter has scored in double figures in 18 of the last 21 games and is the ninth-best scorer in conference play with a 14.0-point average, the ninth-best free-throw shooter with a .812 mark. She is tied for the most 3-pointers made in a conference game this season with six against Southern Indiana on a 6-for-6 night.

 

Entering today's game, she has recorded 326 points in a Tech uniform with 105 rebounds, 75 assists, seven blocks and 23 steals. She also reached her career 2,000th point in the Purple and Gold on January 16 vs. Southeast Missouri.

 

What it means to be a Golden Eagle, even for just one season, isn't lost on Carter.

 

"It's just been a blessing to me," she said. "I went from a Division II school where I had a great career for four years, then ending it here on the D-I level with amazing people – it's just very special to me."

 

For her career, Carter averages 17.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. She had 2,156 points entering Thursday with 772 rebounds, 405 assists, 61 blocks and 160 steals.

 

"Hard work and dedication are the two main things," Carter said. "If you put your mind to something and put hard work into it, you can achieve it. Being a better person than a better player is important, so focusing on the person you are is vital."

 

 

 

If there's one word to define Peyton Carter, it's glue. Over five seasons at Tennessee Tech, she has been the steady presence that has held the team together, both on and off the court. Her leadership, work ethic, and selfless attitude have been invaluable to the Golden Eagles' success.

 

A key contributor throughout Tech's recent dominance—including a WNIT run in 2021-22, an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2022-23, and now a record-breaking 2023-24 season—Carter has been a catalyst to this year's monumental season.

 

"We were literally just talking about it today, looking at our record and who would have thought that we'd be here," Carter said. "Coming in the locker room in June and there were a lot of new faces and we didn't know how we'd jive together. It's been amazing. We definitely don't want this season to end. We play well together, we love each other in the locker room. It's awesome."

 

With the banners in the rafters, Tech women's basketball is expected to win championships. That was definitely the mindset Carter had when she chose to return for a fifth season.

 

"For sure," Carter said. "We lost a lot of key players, but we didn't drop off at all. We had some great returning players coming back. We miss Reagan Hurst for sure, but we have great leadership with Anna Walker, Reghan Grimes and myself. We came in knowing how to win and what it takes to put a banner up there. We set the expectation and everyone in the locker room followed our lead."

 

Entering Thursday, the Abingdon, Va., native is having the best season of her career.  She has scored 326 points this season – a nearly 30% increase from last year – with 138 rebounds, 105 assists, 48 steals and nine blocks. Carter has been one of the top 3-point shooters in the conference, knocking down a league-best 69 on the year.

 

She ranks second in OVC play in assist-turnover ratio as well as eighth in steals, 14th in defensive rebounds

 

Carter is currently fifth in Tech history with 179 3-pointers made, 14th in assists with 331 and 20th in steals with 138. In her Golden Eagle career, she has scored 894 points with 542 rebounds.

 

Beyond the numbers, Carter is the kind of player every team dreams of having—someone who steps up in big moments, makes her teammates better, and leads with heart and determination. Whether draining a clutch three, setting up a key play, or providing unwavering support, she has been a cornerstone of Tech's success.

 

"You've got to fully be two feet in," Carter said. "Don't have any regrets. Last year, I had to make a decision whether or not to use my 5th year. This year, I've been 100-percent all-in and it's been awesome. I don't want it to end."

 

 

 

Taris Thornton joined the Golden Eagles after the 2023-24 season, transferring in from fellow OVC institution Eastern Illinois. Rather than preparing scouting reports to try to contain her, Coach Rosamond and her staff were thrilled to unite with one of the most dynamic and talented players in the league. The partnership has paid off in a big way, and the results speak for themselves.

 

From the moment she stepped onto the court, the Chicago native became a sparkplug for the Golden Eagles, injecting energy, intensity, and playmaking ability into every game. Thriving in her new environment, she has delivered her best collegiate season in the Purple and Gold, playing a vital role in Tech's pursuit of another conference title

 

"At first, it was pretty hard to adapt to a new team," Thornton said. "From just getting to know everybody and adjusting to the system that we have here, once everything just started going, it all went pretty smooth."

 

This season, Thornton has scored 260 points, averaging 9.3 a game, while pulling down 127 rebounds for a 4.5 average. She has 44 assists, 32 blocks and 42 steals on the year – all of those numbers the highest single-season totals in her career. Thornton has 14 double-digit scoring games this season.

 

Entering Thursday's contest, she had 769 points, 404 rebounds, 98 assists, 72 blocks and 108 steals in her career.

 

Whether battling in the paint or stepping up in crucial moments, Thornton's presence at Tech has been undeniable. Her ability to grab key rebounds, attack the rim, create opportunities for her teammates, and electrify the crowd with game-changing blocks has made her a fan favorite

 

If the OVC had a 'Sixth Woman of the Year' award, Thornton would undoubtedly be at the top of the list.

 

Both Tennessee Tech Women's Basketball and Thornton have elevated each other, as her passion and defensive prowess have helped transform TTU into one of the most dynamic teams in the OVC on both ends of the court.

 

"The best part about being a Golden Eagle is the culture," Thornton said. "Everyone just uplifts everybody here. They all want each other to succeed.  The biggest thing is to just have a great attitude about everything," Thornton said. "Even if you're having a bad game, just try to do different things to help the team out and translate to a better game for yourself."

 

 

 

Anna Walker's journey with Tennessee Tech began long before she officially became a Golden Eagle. Coaches knew she was special the first time she attended Kim Rosamond's camp as a rising junior, and she has lived up to every expectation.  While her career started in Chattanooga in 2020-21, Walker flourished in Cookeville as she steadily improved and was a leader in the Golden Eagles' recent run to the WNIT in 2021-22, the NCAA tournament in 2022-23 and what has already been an unforgettable season.

 

When the opportunity arose to come back for a fifth year, she wasn't going to turn that down. 

 

"This season has been a lot of fun," she said. "This team has made it what it's been. All of us are super unselfish and all of us care about winning. That's any player's dream."

 

With a lot of new faces, it was an adjustment, but while it's been a different team, the goal never changed.

 

"Our attitude and our mindset have changed," Walker said. "Coach Rose harped on us in the summer that the standard was the standard and to accomplish our goals, we had to be committed to being our best every day."

 

Entering Thursday's contest, Walker, a member of the 2021-22 OVC All-Newcomer Team, finds herself among some of the top names in the Golden Eagle history book as she ranks 25th in career scoring with 1,200 points, 16th in rebounds with 636, 18th in 3-pointers made with 111 and fourth all-time in blocks with 138, giving Rosamond three of the top four shot blockers in program history with career leader Anacia Wilkinson (202) and third-place Mackenzie Coleman (172).

 

The Cleveland, Tenn., product also broke the program single-game record for blocks with 10 on Feb. 1 at Southern Indiana. The total also stands as the most in a single game in Division I this season in either the men's or women's game.

 

"Coach Rose wants us to leave this place as a better person and not just a better basketball player," Walker said. "She – and the entire coaching staff – has done a great job of that. We'd be here for hours if I told you every single thing Coach Rose has instilled in me, but just leave things better than how you found it. That's the Golden Rule of our program. Anywhere I go from here on out, that's what I'm going to try to do."

 

This season, Walker has totaled 269 points, 180 rebounds, 15 assists, 32 steals and 48 blocks, serving as the backbone of the team with her relentless play, toughness, and leadership. She leads by example, holding herself and her teammates to the highest standard on and off the court.

 

 

 

A vital part of the team behind the team, Anna Riggs has dedicated three seasons as a manager for Tennessee Tech Women's Basketball. A familiar presence on the sidelines, the Old Hickory, Tenn., native does it all—preparing for travel, handling meals, assisting in practices, preparing equipment, and always bringing energy and support to the team.

 

Like Carter and Walker, Riggs played an integral role in the Golden Eagles' 2022-23 OVC Tournament championship, ensuring the team was prepared for its NCAA Tournament run, which included a historic win over Monmouth and a matchup against No. 1 seed Indiana.

 

"It's really cool to be part of the Tennessee Tech family," Riggs said. "Now having [twin sister] Ashlynn here (as a member of the Tech Softball team) along with all the friends I've made, it's incredible. You definitely feel like part of a family here."

 

While managers may not always be in the spotlight, their contributions are essential to the team's success.

 

"Winning championships is an amazing feeling, but it's the little things—grabbing dinner with the team, being around my best friends—that make this experience special," Riggs said. "Being behind the scenes, knowing you played a role in helping the team reach its goals, that's incredible."

 

 

 

Losing one of the team's most valuable and dynamic players before the season even began was a tough blow for Tennessee Tech. A native of Baxter, Tenn., Reagan Hurst arrived at Tech in the fall of 2021, and her impact has been immediate on and off the court from the day she arrived on campus. Poised for a breakout year, she was set to graduate with this senior class, but a preseason injury forced her to the sidelines before she could take the court.

 

While her absence was deeply felt, the silver lining is that Hurst's story isn't over. She will return for her senior season in 2025-26, ready to rejoin standout junior Reghan Grimes, promising freshmen Chloe Larry and Amelia Pfeiffer, a talented group of returning underclassmen, and a highly touted signing class.

 

"This team means a lot to me," Hurst said. "When I got hurt, they were all there for me, supporting me every step of the way. It means the world to still be part of this team and watch them succeed.

 

"This team is one of a kind. You don't just walk into the Tennessee Tech women's basketball program and just get handed everything. Everyone on this team has worked for it and everyone wants to win. I'm just very grateful to be a part of it."

 

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The Tennessee Tech women conclude the regular season today at 1 p.m., taking on Lindenwood for the outright OVC championship and the top seed in next week's OVC tournament in Evansville. The seniors will be honored following the game.

 

Tickets for the game are on sale now -- call (931) 372-3940, visit the Hooper Eblen Center ticket office or order online at TTUsports.com.