By Thomas Corhern, TTU Athletics Media Relations
JACKSON, Miss. – It was a physical contest Friday night in Jackson as the Tennessee Tech women's basketball team battled with Jackson State from start to finish, breaking away in the second half to pull away with a 59-53 victory.
It certainly wasn't easy as the host Tigers kept battling even to the final possession. The Golden Eagles led 2:25 in the opening quarter and just 14 seconds in the second quarter. However, the momentum shifted Tech's way with a seven-point run to help build a nine-point lead in the third quarter, then the Golden Eagles never trailed in the fourth, holding serve with a 10-point lead at the 7:38 mark.
Neither team shot well in the opening stanza as the Golden Eagles (2-0) were 3-for-17 from the field in the first 10 minutes, draining one of its five 3-point tries. The second quarter wasn't much better, hitting 2-for-10 from the field and 0-for-5 from downtown. Tech also had a slow start at the free-throw line, going 6-for 14 in the first half.
The second half was a completely different story – Tech came out on fire, shooting 69.2 percent from the field as the Golden Eagles were 9-for-13 and 3-for-4 from 3. Tech also did not miss a free throw in the second half, going 10-for-10 to salvage a 16-for-24 performance on the night.
Newcomer Cam Mathews led the Golden Eagles with 16 points, knocking down five of her 10 shots and going 5-for-6 at the line. She also ended the game with a team-best five assists while also collecting a steal. Reghan Grimes scored 14 points, while Reagan Hurst scored 13. LaReesha Cawthorn had a strong night on the defensive side, pulling down a game-high 13 rebounds with three steals and three blocks.
Jackson State outscored Tech 10-8 in the opening stanza, then kept its pace with an 11-9 performance in the second to take a 21-17 lead into the intermission. The Golden Eagles outscored the Tigers 24-15 in the third, then edged JSU 18-17 in the fourth, even as the Tigers cut Tech's lead down to two points with 1:27 remaining in the game.
Chloe Larry and Mathews each sank a pair of free throws in the final 27 seconds to extend Tech's lead back out to six points.
Leianya Massenat and Pierre-Noelle Tcheuhchoua each scored 15 points to lead Jackson State (1-1), as Tcheuhchoua collected a double-double with 10 boards.
Tennessee Tech returns to action on Tuesday as it hosts traditional in-state rival Middle Tennessee at 6 PM in the Hooper Eblen Center.
Tickets for Tennessee Tech basketball are on sale now – call (931) 372-3940, visit the Eblen Center ticket office or order online at TTUsports.com.
File photo | Thomas Corhern, TTU Athletics Media Relations
