By Thomas Corhern, TTU Athletics Media Relations
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Take away the second quarter and Thursday's Tennessee Tech-Western Illinois women's tilt is a dead heat.
Unfortunately, it takes all four quarters to win the game and the Golden Eagles struggled in the second verse as the Fighting Leathernecks outscored Tech 21-7 in the period, standing as the difference in a 68-53 contest Thursday night in the Hooper Eblen Center.
Over the course of the end of the first and into the second, after Tech had a 12-6 lead, WIU went on a 24-6 streak to create some cushion. In the second half, both teams were square 34-34, but the deficit was just too much to break.
Tech falls to 12-10 on the season and 5-8 in the OVC, while Western Illinois improves its first-place standing as the Leathernecks sit at 19-3 overall, 11-2 in the league, with UT Martin defeating Southern Indiana to add some distance in the conference race.
The Golden Eagles still had strong performances as Chloe Larry led Tech with 17 points, including three rebounds, three assists and one steal. LaReesha Cawthorn picked up her sixth double-double of the season as she had 15 points and 14 rebounds, while Reghan Grimes had 10 points with eight boards, an assist, two steals and a block.
Mia Nicastro, the 11th best scorer in Division I, added to her tally with 25 points and 13 rebounds for the double-double as she was 12-for-17 from the field. She also had an assist, two steals and two blocks.
Mallory Shetley collected 19 points with two rebounds, four assists, four steals and a block, while Madison Davis had 10 points, six boards, an assist and a steal.
Tech outscored Western 22-16 in the third to try to chip back into the game, shooting 69.2 percent from the field. However, the other three quarters were in the 20s, even as the Golden Eagles kept pace as best as they could in the first and fourth.
WIU ended the game shooting 52.7 percent and created 18 points on 16 Tech turnovers.
The Golden Eagles return to action on Saturday as they host Eastern Illinois at 1 PM.
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.
Photo | Thomas Corhern, TTU Athletics Media Relations
