Tech women host in-state rival Middle Tennessee Tuesday
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – It may be cold outside, but the action will heat up in the Eblen Center on Tuesday night as the Tennessee Tech women welcome in traditional in-state rival Middle Tennessee for a non-conference battle. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 PM. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required) with Dylan Vazzano and Frank Harrell on the call. The game will also be carried on 106.1 FM The Eagle with on-air talent to be determined.
By Thomas Corhern, TTU Athletics Media Relations
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – It may be cold outside, but the action will heat up in the Eblen Center on Tuesday night as the Tennessee Tech women welcome in traditional in-state rival Middle Tennessee for a non-conference battle.
Tip-off is scheduled for 6 PM. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required) with Dylan Vazzano and Frank Harrell on the call. The game will also be carried on 106.1 FM The Eagle with on-air talent to be determined.
As part of the Veteran's Day observation, tickets for veterans and their immediate family will be $5.
Rivalries are a big part of collegiate sports and even though the Golden Eagles and the Blue Raiders haven't been in the same conference since before the turn of the millennium, the thought of Tennessee Tech versus Middle Tennessee still stokes a lot of fires in the hearts of their respective fan bases.
Tuesday's game is the 105th all-time meeting between the two teams, with the Golden Eagles still holding on to a 55-49 series lead, dating back to Tech's inaugural 1970-71 campaign. However, Middle Tennessee has stormed back in the series, winning 18 of the last 20 meetings and the last five.
The Blue Raiders took last season's affair in Murfreesboro, winning 69-52. But that was last year – different team, different story.
Both teams enter Tuesday's contest with a 2-0 record. Middle Tennessee survived a season-opening scare against Tennessee State as the Tigers trailed by one point at the end of the third quarter before the Blue Raiders outscored TSU 15-10 in the fourth to secure a 59-53 victory.
Middle Tennessee followed that win with another on the road at St. Louis, topping the Billikens 73-55. Alayna Contreras topped all scorers with 23 points, while Savannah Davis had 15 points and Blair Baugus had 13.
As a team, Middle Tennessee is averaging 66.0 points, while allowing 54.0. Contreras is averaging 18.5 points per game and 3.5 rebounds per game, Davis 15.5 ppg and 5.0 rpg, and Baugus 11.5 ppg and a team-best 11.5 rpg. Baugus, a freshman from Waynesboro, Tenn., also leads the team in blocks with seven and steals with six, while sharing the team lead in assists with Yu Han Lin at five each.
The Tech women, meanwhile, opened up with a big win over the University of the Cumberlands, pouring on for a 92-67 victory last Monday. The Golden Eagles went on the road Friday and surged ahead in the second half to top Jackson State. Cam Mathews, Reghan Grimes and Reagan Hurst powered Tech on offense, while freshman LaReesha Cawthorn put together a great defensive performance with 13 rebounds, three steals and three blocks.
As a team, Tech is averaging 75.5 points while allowing 60.0. Grimes is averaging 19.0 ppg and 5.0 rpg, Mathews 14.5 ppg and 2.5 rpg, Chloe Larry 12.0 ppg and 2.5 rpg and Hurst 11.5 ppg and 2.5 rpg. Mathews has a team-best seven assists, while Cawthorn leads the team in rebounds at 11.0 rpg and has a team-best four blocks and four steals.
Following Tuesday's contest, the Golden Eagles hit the road for a weekend contest at Kennesaw State on Saturday before returning home to take on East Tennessee State on Thursday, Nov. 20.
Season tickets for Tennessee Tech basketball are 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
