Second half momentum carries Golden Eagles to 54-48 victory over Wichita State
December 22, 2015

Second half momentum carries Golden Eagles to 54-48 victory over Wichita State

A close battle; that is what it was in the matchup between the Tennessee Tech women’s basketball team and Wichita State.

Box Score

 

By Holly Weber, TTU Sports Information Coordinator

COOKEVILLE, Tenn.—A close battle; that is what it was in the matchup between the Tennessee Tech women's basketball team (4-8, 0-0 OVC) and Wichita State (3-8). The Golden Eagles came back after being down at the half to win the game 54-48, but it wasn't an easy feat. The Shockers made a last minute comeback in the fourth quarter, however Tech held strong.

The Golden Eagles opened game play with a jumper from Samaria Howard at the 9:47 mark to lead 2-0. Wichita State quickly got on the board and pulled ahead at 8-4 with a layup from Rangie Bessard at the 2:47 mark. The first quarter was slow on both sides, ending with a score of 10-8 in favor of the Shockers.

The two teams continued to battle into the second quarter, holding a tie game at 15-15 at the 6:01 mark. The Golden Eagles took the go-ahead bucket with a layup from Alliyah Smith to pull ahead 17-15 at the 4:47 mark, however, the Shockers fought back and tied the game and then pulled ahead to 19-17 off of a layup from TaQuandra Mike at the 2:52 mark. Wichita State continued to push and closed out the first half 21-19 over Tech. In the first half, the Shockers shot 26.7 percent from the field and 83.3 percent from the line, while making 0-of-9 attempts from the 3-point range. Things looked slightly better on the Golden Eagle side, with Tech closing out the first half shooting 34.6 percent from the floor and 16.7 percent from beyond the arc, but connecting on 0-of-2 at the line.

Both teams came out ready to battle in the third quarter. Wichita State taking the advantage early on pulling ahead by five at 26-21 with a three from Jyar Francis. The Shockers continued to hold their distance over the Golden Eagles pushing their lead to 30-23 at the 5:19 mark. However, Tech then created some momentum and went on a 12-0 run to take the lead at 35-30 at the 3:42 mark. From there the Golden Eagles stayed aggressive despite the Shockers attempt to fight back. A jumper by Tia Nicholson at the 1:02 mark kept a Tech lead at 41-37 and allowed the Golden Eagles to close out the third quarter leading Wichita State 41-38.

Things got more interesting going into the final quarter. A jumper by Howard at the 4:56 mark gave Tech the five point lead at 46-41, however, the Shockers made a campaign for a comeback pulling within one at 46-45 at the 3:43 mark. The Golden Eagles held strong refusing to relent to Wichita State and a three from Lindsey Jennings at the 41 second mark gave Tech the momentum they needed pushing the score to 52-47. The Golden Eagles remained confident from there and claimed a home victory, breaking their three-game losing streak.

Howard led the Golden Eagles with 21 points, seven rebounds, and three steals. Hannah Goolsby put down 13 points and grabbed three boards and two assists in the matchup. Bessard led the Shockers with 14 points and 13 rebounds. As a team, Tech shot 36.2 percent from the field, 36.4 percent from the 3-point range, and 76.2 percent from the line, while Wichita State shot 32.1 percent from the floor, 6.3 percent from beyond the arc, and 64.7 percent from the line. The Shockers gave up 21 turnovers to the Golden Eagle's 24, but Tech out-rebounded Wichita State 54-48.

The Golden Eagles return to action on Dec. 28 when they travel to Athens, Ga. to compete against the University of Georgia in a 6 p.m. contest.