By Thomas Corhern, TTU Athletics Media Relations
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – SIUE just could not miss and it put the Tennessee Tech women's basketball team in a quick hole in the first quarter they just could not recover from on Thursday night as the visitors came away with a 76-60 win at the Eblen Center.
With the loss, Tech drops to 14-12 on the season, 7-10 in the Ohio Valley Conference. SIUE improves to 13-14 after sweeping the season series, improving to 6-11 in the conference race.
The Golden Eagles maintain a hold on the No. 7-seed as of Thursday night, but SIUE now stands one game back with a potential tiebreaker and Southeast Missouri two games back at 5-12 making the game next Saturday in Cape Girardeau loom large. Tech is two games back from UT Martin (9-9) and three from Little Rock (10-7), leaving a chance to increase its standing in the race in the three games remaining in the regular season.
The shooting percentages tell the story – SIUE shot 11-for-18 in the first quarter for a 61.1-percent clip, then a scorching 78.6 percent in the third as the Cougars hit 11-of-14. The Golden Eagles did have two 50-percent or better quarters scoring – hitting 6-for-12 in the first and 8-for-14 in the second – but it couldn't keep up with SIUE's hot hand.
The Cougars also took Tech away from some of its strengths. SIUE also hit more 3-pointers – seven to three – and collected more rebounds – 40 to 23.
The visitors led by as many as 22 points in the fourth quarter as they outscored Tech 27-18 in the opening stanza and 28-19 in the third. The Golden Eagles outscored SIUE 10-9 in the second and 13-12 in the third, but it wasn't enough to chip away from the margin.
Tech did force SIUE into 16 turnovers, but the Golden Eagles only had five steals in the game.
Four Golden Eagles scored in double figures as LaReesha Cawthorn, who was honored before the game for her NCAA freshman single-season rebound record against Eastern Illinois, finished the game with a team-high 19 points on 8-for-12 shooting, while also pulling down seven boards with two steals and two blocks.
Reagan Hurst ended the game with 15 points, six rebounds and four assists, while Cam Mathews had 13 points, a rebound and three assists. Chloe Larry also had 10 points, two rebounds, an assist, two steals and a block.
SIUE freshman Kiyoko Proctor led the squad with 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting, three boards, three assists and a steal. Lauren Miller had 19 points with three rebounds and an assist. Macy Silvey had 12 points with four rebounds and an assist.
The Golden Eagles return to action on Saturday as they host Lindenwood at 1 PM for Senior Day and the team's regular-season home finale.
Tickets for that game is on sale now – call (931) 372-3940, visit the Hooper Eblen Center ticket office or order online at TTUsports.com.
Photo | Thomas Corhern, TTU Athletics Media Relations
